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The former West Branch Area School District employee charged with sexually assaulting a student has agreed to a plea deal.
23-year-old Michael Narehood has pleaded guilty to two counts of felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse-person less than 16 years of age; statutory sexual assault; aggravated indecent assault-complainant less than 16; school-intercourse/sexual contact with student; and corruption of minors. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of indecent assault person less than 16 years of age.
A probable cause affidavit states that on May 10 of this year, the 14-year-old victim went to Narehood’s office at West Branch Junior Senior High School at the end of the school day. He allegedly began kissing her and engaged in sexual acts with her there.
According to state police, Narehood confessed to the sexual abuse during an interview with police.
He will be required to undergo a Megan’s Law assessment and his sentencing is scheduled in 60 to 90 days or following the end of his pre-sentencing investigation.
Attorney contributor Brian Kent represents sex abuse victims and their families in civil lawsuits against sexual predators and negligent third parties, including schools and school districts. Brian has some thoughts to share regarding the legal rights of those who have been sexually abused by teachers and other school employees:
In any workplace where employees are working with children, it’s critical that safeguards are in place for protecting those children from dangerous sexual predators. Sadly, our attorneys see far too many cases involving school employees sexually abusing students.
In cases of school sex abuse, it’s important not only to prosecute the perpetrator but also to ask how the abuse could have been prevented. Some cases are preventable and occur due to negligence by the school, such as failing to run background checks before hiring new employees.
When negligence has played a role in enabling an employee to abuse students, the victims and their parents may have grounds for a school sex abuse lawsuit.
If you or your child is a survivor of sexual abuse by a school employee, you can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation with one of our veteran sex abuse victims lawyers.
https://gantdaily.com/2019/10/29/former-west-branch-school-employee-pleads-guilty/
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