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Indianapolis schools suspend 2 in alleged abuse cover-up

Posted April 15, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Two Indianapolis Public Schools officials have been suspended with pay after they were charged for not immediately notifying authorities of sexual abuse allegations against a former counselor.

The school district announced Friday the suspensions of Human Resources Director Lela "Tina" Hester and human resources caseworker Shalon Dabney.

Marion County prosecutors charged the two Wednesday, alleging they had evidence 37-year-old Shana Taylor had sex with a teenager in her office at Longfellow Elementary School but waited six days to report it.

Detectives found emails and other evidence that Hester tried to cover it up.

State law requires school officials to immediately report abuse or neglect allegations to law enforcement or the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Taylor faces charges including child seduction and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She has been fired.

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