A Chickamauga Elementary School teacher who was charged in June with sexually contacting three young girls was fired Friday because of conditions of her bond, Superintendent Melody Day said.
Tonya Craft, a kindergarten teacher in the city school system, was arrested June 11 on four counts of child molestation and one count of aggravated child battery.
She is free on bond, but conditions of her release stipulate that she is not to be around children under the age of 18, the superintendent said.
So on Friday a “tribunal” was held with Chickamauga school board members and attorneys for Ms. Craft and the prosecution present, said Ms. Day, who testified and was cross examined during the proceeding.
She said the board went into executive session to deliberate and then voted to terminate the teacher’s employment.
Ms. Day had recommended that Ms. Craft’s employment be terminated at the time she was arrested in June.
“This is no commentary on the criminal case,” Ms. Day said. “None of that was involved.”
She said it was due to the bond stipulation about being around children.
Even though her bond conditions were modified to allow Ms Craft to attend church or go to the grocery store, she has been unable to report to work, and therefore cannot remain as a teacher, Ms. Day said.
The Catoosa County Sheriff ’s Department brought the charges, alleging the conduct took place at Ms. Craft’s home, which is just inside Catoosa County near the Walker County line.
Her attorney told the Times Free Press at the time of her arrest that Ms. Craft denies the charges and is innocent.
Ms. Day said she doesn’t know much about the criminal case.
“I do know the investigation is ongoing,” she said.
Up front, I detest child molesters/abusers; yet, I love the rule of law above all else. Even child abusers of all types deserve due process and public "tribunal" disclosure.
No mention was made as to how the complaints were made, investigative actions prior to charges and subsequent arrest, or any legal basis whatsoever for the charges.
Sounds a bit like the Texas Mormon Child Seizures by Child Protective Services, to me. No evidence worth mentioning, so don't mention it, huh? So...WAS our Child Protective Services involved somehow in this case?
Under the information provided, this "tribunal" was nothing more than a "Kangaroo Court" with secret proceedings. This is anathema to proper judgmental processes.
Ms Day states the decision to fire Ms Craft was NOT based on the criminal case.
By the court's order, Ms Craft CAN be "around children under 18" [distance not stated] while at church or "grocery shopping" -- which would include SuperWal-Marts for example.
So the school has no other place in which Ms Craft can be employed? How about leave without pay or something? Firing a suspected whatever is pretty severe pre-trial punishment. And if she is found Not Guilty? Hope they are ready to rehire her with full payment of lost wages, damaged reputation, etc.
Expansions, please?
I agree with Rolando. This teacher is being punished by losing her job before she's even been tried. Where is the presumtion of innocence? She should be at the very least be suspended with pay until this issue is resolved.
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