Indecent exposure findings released

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - It's been four months since a parent made the initial complaint about a teacher exposing himself to a child at Causey Middle School.

The incident was not reported to the Department of Human Resources or law enforcement because the principal felt the exposure was accidental. Superintendent Dr. Roy Nichols now says the incident should have been reported.

"In hind sight it would have been safer to let someone else make that decision," Dr. Nichols said.

Dr. Nichols added that's what will happen in the future.

"I do think that it's necessary for our principals to undergo more training. I've talked with representatives of child advocacy council who are coming to the February principal's meeting to do just that," Dr. Nichols said.

That's good news to Pat Guyton, the director of the Child Advocacy Center in Mobile. Guyton said the message for principals is simple.

"Mandatory reporters are transmitters, they're not gate keepers. It's not up to them to determine if a case happened or didn't happen," Guyton said.

The teacher at the center of the controversy, Charles Lewis, Junior, has been charged with child sex abuse in a separate case in Baldwin County.

Guyton said the proper authorities will now determine if there was anything inappropriate in the incident involving the Causey student.

"I think there's a cloud over the whole issue right now, and the best way to get to the bottom of it is to have a professional team of law enforcement and DHR investigators look at the case and decide what really happened," Guyton added.

In addition to training for principals, the internal investigation report said the school system is also looking at guidelines for dealing with rumors and anonymous complaints.

The report also indicates the district has offered to share "any" information it has with the two agencies now investigating the incident.