Coaches, administrators arrested for failure to report sexual assault

[left-of-center2012]

MIDLAND, Texas — Five people were in jail after Midland Police made arrests at Midland Christian School Wednesday morning. According to the Midland Police Department, three administrators and two coaches at Midland Christian School were arrested and charged with Failure To Report With Intent To Conceal Neglect Or Abuse.

Aarrest affidavits obtained by NewsWest 9 show Barry Russell, Gregory McClendon, Matthew Counts, Jared Lee and Dana Ellis were all interviewed regarding a sexual assault. According to the Midland Christian website, Lee is the superintendent, while Ellis is a secondary principal. Counts is an assistant principal and coach. McClendon is listed as athletic director and football coach, while Russell is the baseball coach for MCS.

The assault reportedly took place at Christensen Stadium around January 20, 2022 during a baseball practice. The victim, whose name is not being released due to his age, was interviewed by Children's Advocacy Center. During the interview, he told the forensic interviewer that he had been in the locker room to change when the lights were turned off. Another student told the victim that it was "freshman initiation day" before someone began to hit the victim. The victim said he was then pushed to the ground while still being hit and everyone was screaming at him. According to the affidavit, the victim then stated he was sexually assaulted using a bat.

Superintendent Lee told the MPD officer on Feb. 14 he would not turn over the requested documentation about the incident and refused to answer any more questions over the phone. A search warrant was then served on Feb. 14 at the school. Police were able to obtain the documents concerning the investigation ...
During the investigation, officers determined that the five people arrested all had knowledge of the sexual assault but did not report it as required by the Texas Family Code. Emails obtained by MPD reportedly showed clear refusal by those involved to report the abuse to authorities. At this time Midland Police says one juvenile has been arrested. His name and his charges have not been released at this time.

https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/crime/midland-christian-school-arrests/513-ffa75e60-1efa-45b8-bccb-fe45c6a15272

Five staff members of a Christian school in Texas have been arrested for failing to report a student’s sexual assault.

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Our Mission
The mission of Midland Christian School is to assist parents in leading students to love God and to seek truth by training them in a Christ-centered environment that emphasizes moral and academic excellence and inspires them to develop their God-given talents for lives of Christian leadership and service.
https://www.midlandchristianschool.org/page/our-foundations

[2naSalit]

1. Just like the...

Old Indian schools are now being investigated for mass graves and history of abuse, I think the xtian schools should be investigated. It isn't just Catholics who have a history of this kind of shit.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. +1

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Use to be that most were run by self-styled "christian" churches. . . .nt

[2naSalit]

11. Many were run by...

Either the Catholic church or loose affiliates.

[Stuart G]

2. K and R...Some people in Texas may not know it, but this is the end of "Midland Christian School.

...Only the devil can save this school, and the devil will have no part in any of this. The devil is
enjoying the show. And the devil isn't the only person enjoying the fall down of the ...........................
......Midland Christian School.....

............ Looks to me like some administrators & teachers at the school ...BROKE THE LAW!!!!!

[leftieNanner]

4. Oh My God

The cover up is often worse than the crime.

And this crime is vile.

I just can't...............

[dlk]

5. Every last one of them had a duty to report

Avoiding their legal responsibility and not reporting is the same as giving their tacit approval for the sexual assault of a child. They are monsters and need to be locked up for as long as the law allows.

[crickets]

6. I do not understand how any adult, especially when specifically responsible

for the care and safety of children, can turn away from an awful situation like this and not take action. How can anyone who knows a child has been sexually assaulted say nothing, do nothing, to help that child? It just makes no sense to me at all. It's depraved.

[TxGuitar]

9. It is depraved

and it's called being a Republican Christian.

[uponit7771]

14. +1

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. Gym Jordan?

[left-of-center2012]

10. These so-called Christians ...

Refused to turn over evidence or answer police questions ?

[2naSalit]

12. RICO?

[uponit7771]

13. Was it all worth it ?! I'd be asking their dumb asses just that

[Sympthsical]

15. This is a nice change of pace

How many times have we heard that people knew of some incident or assault and did or said nothing?

More of this. The only way behavior changes is when it is given no place to hide.