A former social studies teacher at Concord High School is facing a number of criminal charges, including possession of child pornography.
Andrew Cowells was placed on leave last month after school officials learned he had made “inappropriate comments of a sexual nature.”
District officials say an investigation revealed Cowells’ behavior went beyond those comments and “included conduct that the prosecutor has charged as child solicitation, vicarious gratification, voyeurism, harassment, and battery.”
A search of Cowells’ phone revealed photographs predating his comments last month that are considered child pornography. He has been charged with 13 felonies and five misdemeanors.
Superintendent Dan Funston called Cowells’ actions “wholly unacceptable.”
“Teachers are meant to be trusted adults in the lives of our kids. We are angry anytime the well-being of our students is put in jeopardy," Funston said Wednesday. "As a Concord parent myself, this is personal. The well-being of our kids is our most important responsibility.”
District officials say based on their current knowledge, no Concord students or Michiana-area children appear in the photos found on Cowells' phone.
Cowells had been with the district since August 2001. He was placed on leave back in May, and the school board officially terminated his employment on Monday.
(Read the district's release below.)
Earlier today, former Concord High School teacher, Andrew Cowells, was criminally charged with 13 felonies and five misdemeanors.
On Wednesday, May 5, Concord Community Schools administrators first learned of inappropriate comments of a sexual nature made that morning by Mr. Cowells. As the school’s investigation progressed, administrators and law enforcement officers learned that the scope of the incident went beyond just those comments and included conduct that the prosecutor has charged as child solicitation, vicarious gratification, voyeurism, harassment, and battery.
As part of the investigation process, Mr. Cowells cellular phone was searched and discovered to contain photographs that are considered child pornography. Ten of the felonies charged include possession of child pornography. These photos all pre-date by at least one year, Mr. Cowells’ May 5 actions. At the present time and with the information currently known, no Concord Community Schools’ students or Michiana area children are in those photographs. Law enforcement continues to investigate Cowells’ conduct.
Concord Community Schools immediately placed Cowells on leave on May 5 and began the employment termination process. In accordance with Indiana law, on Monday, June 21, the Concord School Board terminated Cowells’ employment immediately.
This story has been updated.
Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.
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