Three Staffers at Texas Charter School Arrested in Child Abuse Investigation
Three staffers at an Arlington charter school are facing felony charges in an ongoing investigation into allegations of child grooming and an improper relationship with at least two students.
Investigation Uncovered
Police and school administrators with the Newman International Academy held a news conference Thursday to address the ongoing investigation at the Gibbins campus, a 7th-12th grade campus in North Arlington, where two educators and a principal have been accused of felony sexual abuse crimes.
“Like many of the teachers and students here, we’re broken over what’s happened,” said Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools Donna Hart, who announced leadership changes at the campus before addressing the investigation led by the school’s police department.
Chief of Police Matthew Antkowiak said Thursday, two 7th-grade girls courageously approached a police officer to report something they said didn’t seem right. Antkowiak didn’t elaborate on the report but said his department took action and that they had taken instructional aide Ruel Barbee into custody early that afternoon.
Athletes and Coaches on Leave
Hart said in addition to those arrested, an athletic director, a girl’s basketball coach, and a part-time assistant football coach have been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of both criminal and administrative investigations.
Police Chief Vows to Follow the Investigation Wherever it Leads
Antkowiak said his department will continue to investigate all leads, no matter where they are. He added that the information they’ve uncovered so far is not limited to incidents on their campus or in Texas.
“These educational institutions and churches that have come on our radar will be served with search warrants soon,” Antkowiak said. “We remain actively examining whether institutions have failed to report illegal sexual contact to law enforcement as required by law.”
Community Response
Dr. Sheba George, the Superintendent for Newman International Academy, wrote in a statement:
“We will root out any exploitation or abuse of our students. There is absolutely no excuse that could justify the actions of educators who do not care about the well-being of students or who hurt them. It is my hope and prayer that other institutions responsible for the safety and well-being of children would take similar actions in response to this epidemic in our schools. At Newman International Academy, we will do what is right. We will fight for the justice of victims.
We will not tolerate abuse or any action that attempts to cover up or hide it. We will deal with all allegations of misconduct of our staff fairly, but make no mistake: There is no place here at Newman where we will protect an educator or this institution’s reputation over a student’s life and the justice deserved by a victim of abuse.”
FAQs
Q: How did the investigation begin?
A: The investigation began when two 7th-grade girls courageously approached a police officer to report something they said didn’t seem right.
Q: What are the charges against the accused individuals?
A: Ruel Barbee has been charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony. Gabrielle Little has been charged with child grooming, and Rick Adams has been charged with five counts of tampering with evidence, tampering with a witness, and failure to report abuse, all felonies.
Q: What is the status of the accused individuals?
A: Ruel Barbee is in custody, Gabrielle Little is free on bond, and Rick Adams is being held in the Tarrant County Jail on bonds totaling $50,000.
Q: How has the school responded to the allegations?
A: The school has placed three individuals on paid leave and has stated that it will “root out any exploitation or abuse of our students” and “fight for the justice of victims.” The school has also stated that it will not tolerate abuse or any action that attempts to cover up or hide it.
Q: How can I report suspected abuse or misconduct?
A: Anyone with additional information regarding the investigation is asked to contact the Newman International Academy Police Department at 682-207-5176 or police@niadps.org.
