Posted on 10/12/2013 10:45:49 AM PDT by csvset
A former Cumberland County middle school principal is accused of sexually assaulting three students who were 11 to 14 years old, including one while the child's parent was waiting in the office, according to the Sheriff's Office.
David Ellis Edwards, who was principal of Douglas Byrd Middle School for three years until abruptly resigning in August, turned himself in to sheriff's deputies Friday morning.
Edwards, 49, of the 7200 block of Tobago Place, is charged with two counts of second-degree forcible sex offense, two counts of sexual acts with a student and five counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor, according to deputies.
The Sheriff's Office said the alleged sexual assaults were committed at Ramsey Street Alternative Middle and Douglas Byrd Middle schools. Investigators say the three students, who are boys, were assaulted between 2009 and 2011 by being touched inappropriately or forced to participate in sexual acts with Edwards, the Sheriff's Office said.
In one alleged incident, a child was assaulted while his parent sat in a waiting area in the school office.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint by a parent, said Debbie Tanna, a sheriff's spokeswoman.
She said deputies are continuing to investigate Edwards.
"We do believe there were more than the three victims," she said.
Edwards resigned Aug. 6, citing educational reasons, Superintendent Frank Till Jr. said at the time.
County school officials were not aware of the details of the allegations until they learned of Edwards' arrest Friday, Till said.
"The sheriff's department has not been in contact with me about this," said Till, who was out of state Friday. "I am shocked and saddened by this. We will cooperate with the sheriff's department. If there are more cases, they should certainly report it."
Till said he hopes to learn more about the allegations when he returns Sunday.
Till plans to notify the state Department of Public Instruction on Monday about the allegations.
"It is in their hands as far as his credentials," Till said.
Alicia Chisolm, chairwoman of the Cumberland County school board, expressed dismay after learning of the charges.
"I think this is very sad for the children and for the school system," she said.
Edwards was named principal at Ramsey Street Alternative Middle School in 2005. He had been an assistant principal for two years before being promoted.
He was a teacher at South View and Ramsey Street middle schools from 1998 to 2003.
Edwards' bail was set at $140,000.
Anyone with information about the cases is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 323-1500. Staff writer Venita Jenkins can be reached at jenkinsv@fayobserver.com or 486-3511.
This would have been dealt with properly about a hundred years ago. Rope, lamp post, adios.
Did you see the pic, he’ll probably be the next Secretary of Education.
In Ubama's America, it's encouraged.
I have no doubt 30 students will turn out to defend him, just like they turned to defend the sick goat-f8cking drama teacher in Arizona.
Just another reason to keep your kids OUT of public schools
There will be more victims. The fact he was felt bold enough to molest a child in his office with the parent just outside the office means he has probably been doing this for quite a while.
I think it's more likely Ubama would promote the pedophile hugger and homosexual propagandist Kevin Jennings he already has as his Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education.
Burn the school down.
The Hope and Change America got. Homosexual and pedophile behavior embraced by the left. No kid is safe or left behind; he’s now attacked from behind...
Disgusting.
In 0muslim’s America, it’s a resume enhancer.
Why do you think he is innocent?
Do you believe that because you really want to believe that?
Why did he turn himself in to the police ?
I know for a FACT if I was innocent, I would make them arrest me....
I’m sure it was consensual,nothing to see here
“Homosexual rape of minors, is that still illegal in Obama’s America?”
They don’t like for anyone to refer to it as “HOMOSEXUAL” rape, they say it’s rape by a pedophile and choose to ignore that the pedophile is “HOMOSEXUAL” or use the term “QUEER” as some “HOMOSEXUALS” like to use but say it’s insensitive for a “straight” person to use that term. All to take awaay from the fact that an adult “rump ranger” raped a male child.
That certainly explains why he suddenly resigned his post in August.
Thanks csvset.
Left’s new crusade: Adult-kid sex
WorldNetDaily | Matt Barber
Posted on 10/12/2013 10:24:26 AM PDT by jimluke01
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3078079/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.