UPDATE 2/19/2018: A juvenile female, age 13, from Leonardtown, was charged with making a false report in reference to the investigation.
The juvenile provided statements which were conclusively refuted from video surveillance reviewed. The juvenile was charged and released to a parent and is awaiting disposition from the Department of Juvenile Justice.
2/17/2018: On February 16, 2018, an allegation of inappropriate touching was made by a female student who was attending a school sponsored dance at Leonardtown Middle School, located on Pt. Lookout Road, in Leonardtown, Maryland.
The student stated a male chaperone, who is not employed with St. Mary’s County Public Schools, touched her and made her feel uncomfortable. When the allegation was reported, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and St. Mary’s County Public Schools immediately launched a joint investigation.
During the course of the investigation deputies collaborated with school officials, interviewed witnesses, spoke with parents, and reviewed video surveillance footage of the reported incident. The initial allegation was not supported by video evidence reviewed during the investigation.
This incident is under review and the Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with any information to contact Deputy First Class Schultz at (301) 475-4200 extension *1953 or by email at [email protected]. The St. Mary’s County Public Schools have fully cooperated with this investigation; both the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and St. Mary’s County Public Schools remain committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all students.
Email sent from Dr Dennie at 7:00 am 2/17/18 regarding incident at PTA Dance on February 16, 2018.
Dear Parents,
It is a sad day at Leonardtown Middle School for our parents, students, faculty and staff. On the evening of Fridany, February 16, 2018, an accusation was made against a chaperone supervising the PTA sponsored dance. When the administration became aware of the alleged incident, the chaperone was removed from the dance floor and an investigation was immediately put in motion. Once the St. Mary’s County Sheriffs arrived on site they took over the investigation. After much inquiry, I am pleased to inform you that video footage revealed that the accusations were unfounded. There was no truth to the claim.
In a time when tensions run high around the nation and we continue to be terrified for our students when at school, I would like to acknowledge the concerns of parents and students and stress that the administration, faculty and staff of Leonardtown Middle School remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure the safety of all of our students.
We are a strong community and we will rise above this. We will continue to work hard to instill values in our students that will help them along the path of becoming well educated, productive members of society. Together we can do this. I have no doubt.
Respectfully,
Dr. Deborah A. G. Dennie
Principal
Leonardtown Middle School
“Good schools, like good societies and good families, celebrate and cherish diversity.”
Deborah Meier
