| Updated: 3/22/2010 8:39 am |
Published: 3/20/2010 7:27 pm |
A Sherwood principal is out of jail facing a sex assault charge. Police aren't done investigating Timothy Ballard yet, but interviewed several people before making the arrest Friday night.
It was a quiet campus Saturday night, as students and staff at Abundant Life School in Sherwood enjoy spring break while assistant superintendent, high school principal, and senior boys' basketball coach Timothy Ballard awaits a May court date.
Sherwood police arrested Ballard Friday night, and charged him with first degree sexual assault. The school put Ballard on administrative leave with pay earlier this month. An anonymous tip about sexual misconduct led Sherwood police to launch an investigation into abuse allegations.
Abundant Life is a ministry of Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church. As soon as the investigation started, the church sent a letter home with parents and released this statement to us saying, "...our primary concern is for the welfare and safety of our students, and we are doing everything within our power to care for and protect them."
Ballard's been with Abundant Life for 18 years. The senior pastor tells FOX16 no one from the church or school is available for an interview until Monday. Ballard will be arraigned in court in May.
