BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Prosecutors will dismiss criminal charges against a Bloomington principal charged with failing to report allegations of suspected child abuse, according to her attorney.
Joyce Huck, the principal of Lighthouse Christian Academy, was charged in April with Failure to Make a Report, a class B misdemeanor.
Her attorney, Brian Bailey, said Huck and prosecutors reached a deferral agreement that will result in the dismissal of the charges.
"We give thanks to God for the resolution of this case that will result in the charges being dropped,” said Bailey.
Court records show a hearing scheduled in Monroe County for October 10 was canceled because of an “agreement of parties.”
A parent reported on February 19 her daughter was sexually battered by a fellow student during an overnight “lock-in” event at the school on February 11, court documents said.
Prosecutors said Huck knew about the allegations, but did not report them to the Indiana Department of Child Services or law enforcement.
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Bailey said the court later found the juvenile not guilty of sexual battery.
Huck is still serving as the school principal at Lighthouse Christian Academy, her attorney said.
As part of the deferral agreement, Huck agreed to attend training on reporting requirements and arrange for training for other school personnel.
Huck must also create policies and procedures for Lighthouse Christian Academy that are consistent with Indiana law.
The principal must not commit a criminal offense for a year, according to the agreement.
Susie's Place and the Indiana Coalition for the Prevention of Child Abuse are scheduled to providing training on October 25 and November 15.
Numerous other school officials have faced criminal charges in the last year or so for failing to report suspected child abuse.
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The school board president Dr. Richard Holdeman released the following statement earlier this year:
“We want you to know we take seriously our responsibility for the care and protection of Lighthouse students, which includes making a report of child abuse and neglect when appropriate. We have a well-established history of making such reports to the proper authorities when we have reason to believe a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect. While we work through the question of the legal duty to report in this instance, we hope you will understand that we cannot further comment on this matter until it reaches a resolution.”
The Indiana Department of Education’s Staff Attorney sent a letter to schools in April 2016 reminding school staff and administrators of their responsibility to report child abuse and neglect in a timely manner.
