Investigation of Mobile teacher deepens

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - New information surfaces in the investigation of Causey Middle School teacher Charles Lewis Jr.

Lewis was arrested in Baldwin County for DUI after he wrecked his car. That arrest on January 4, 2010, was only the beginning of Lewis' trouble.

The arrest led to a more serious allegation that stated Lewis had sexually abused a 9-year-old child. Another parent who wishes to remain anonymous has come forward with her case against Lewis, one that began in September. Causey Principal Mary Wood went on record denying ever having any complaints against Lewis. Fox 10 learned Thursday that those comments were false.

"Well that is always a possibility but at this point we don't know anything about that," said Wood.

Superintendent Dr. Roy Nichols said he knew about the allegation as well as Ms. Wood and that he was disappointed in the principal's denial.

"That's unfortunate," said Nichols.

Nichols said he read the formal letter of complaint, but it was not put in his personnel file because the central office gets complaint letters all the time and the allegations were unsubstantiated. Nichols said according to policy they are not allowed to file anything in personnel files that is not substantiated.

"No, what would you have us do? We get allegations all the time from jilted lovers, x-spouses and people who just have a grudge. We have to take all of that with a grain of salt," Nichols said.

"It did raise red flags and an investigation was done. The child and teacher were questioned. I think that the two individuals had different accounts of what happened," Nichols added.

Notes were taken on the complaint filed against Lewis, but those notes went into his administrative file.

"You take and it, file it away and you wait to see if other things or patterns develop," said Nichols.

Ms. Wood declined to correct or clarify her statements Thursday.