| Updated: 10/08/2009 8:27 am |
Published: 10/07/2009 5:37 pm |
Sexual assault charges initially filed against a Pulaski County teacher are now dropped. Now it is up to Pulaski County school officials to decide whether the Mills High School teacher will return to the classroom.
When at least two former Mills High students alleged their teacher had inappropriate contact with them, deputies began investigating right away. Just last week they thought they had enough evidence and arrested Timothy Minton at his home. Wednesday those charges were dropped but the investigation is far from over.
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department spokesman John Rehaurer says prosecutors will not seek charges against Minton because one of the alleged victims was 18-years-old at the time of the suspected sexual affair. That person told FOX16 News he had sex with Minton in a classroom in 2004.
Prosecutors also face a challenge with the statute of limitations.
"We want to make sure our students are safe and protected at all times," PCSSD Board President Tim Clark said.
Clark says Minton remains on administrative leave as the district talks with investigators. "We are awaiting more documentation from the sheriff's office. Once we get that information, the administration will review it and decide what to do," Clark said.
Deputies are still looking into claims that Minton had sex with some students and gave them prescription drugs.
Clark does not believe the investigation has brought shame upon the school district because, "other districts throughout the country I'm sure deal with issues similar to this or much more severe."
FOX16 visited Minton's home to get his side of the story. The person who answered the door said he wasn't home and that no one cared to comment. Minton bonded out of the Pulaski County jail on a $104,000 bond. When asked if he will resume his position teaching, board president Tim Clark said they will make the best decision.
