Coaches, administrators arrested for failure to report sexual assault

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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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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.
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