Schools should be safe havens for kids so they can learn, socialize and grow. But school can become a nightmare for our children when a teacher or authority figure forces himself on them.
This is exactly the issue at hand in Fayetteville. Former Principal David Ellis Edwards of Ramsey Street Alternative Middle School and Douglas Byrd Middle School (who resigned in August of this year) was charged with counts of second-degree forcible sex offenses, sexual acts with students and indecent liberties in October, according to WRAL.com. These sex offenses were perpetrated against at least three male students ages 10 to 14 in 2009 – 2011. Authorities believe there are more victims or witnesses who are yet to come forward.
Horrifically, one of these offenses took place while the student’s mother was in the next room, at school for a meeting.
This kind of behavior demonstrates the worst kind of abuse of power. The legal system exists to confront and defeat these abusers, but we need more witnesses to come forward. If you have any information on the sexual acts Edwards forced upon students, or during his time as a pastor at First Baptist Missionary Church in St. Pauls, we at Lanier Law Group urge you to come forward and contact us. Our firm has represented the rights of victims of sexual abuse throughout North Carolina.
Call our law firm at (855) 757-4204 or contact us online today.