A West Virginia high school teacher and coach has been removed from her posts after her arrest this week for allegedly sexually abusing a minor, according to local reports.
Madison Margaret Day is no longer on the payroll at Pendleton County Middle-High School in Franklin following her arrest on Tuesday, April 14, for sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, soliciting a minor via computer, and use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor, according to online jail records reviewed by Us Weekly.
A not guilty plea was entered on Day’s behalf during her arraignment.
WHSV reported that court documents listed the date of the 29-year-old educator’s offense as on or about January 30. The Grant County Press also reported on the arrest.
Both Pendleton County Middle-High School and the Pendleton County Schools division released a statement on Wednesday, April 15, about the arrest, assuring parents they are well aware of the situation.
Day, who was also the head volleyball coach at the school, was removed from her job as soon as administration began their own investigation into the teacher.
In its statement, the school division said that “the criminal charges, if true, are wholly unacceptable and contrary to every expected behavior of a school employee.”
Added the statement, issued late Tuesday via social media: “Appropriate personnel action will continue to be taken regarding [Day’s] employment status, but please understand personnel laws at this time prevent administration from being specific as to what the next step is, as employees are entitled to due process. However, Day is not and will not be in any classroom.”
The statement closed by saying, “In the near future and after following appropriate due process steps, administration will be making recommendations regarding [Day’s] employment to the Pendleton County Board of Education.”
Pendleton County Schools further advised that the West Virginia Department of Education has been notified about the case, and it is “anticipated that the [West Virginia Department of Education] will also take appropriate steps, such as immediately suspending [Day’s] teaching license” amid the pending criminal action.
Day could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
Information on her attorney was unavailable. Calls to the Pendleton County Sheriff’s Office seeking more information went unanswered.
If you know of a young person who is being exploited or are the victim of a crime, you are urged to report it to your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left at tips.fbi.gov
