Suspended teacher was reinstated to school days before arrest

HARDEMAN COUNTY, Tenn. — A West Tennessee teacher was reinstated to school following his suspension, less than two weeks before he would be arrested on several charges.

SEE ALSO: Board of Education confirms teachers’ suspension after sexual battery charges surface (11/18/24)

On November 18, Middleton High School teacher Jason Childers was arrested on charges including aggravated sexual battery, assault, sexual battery by authority figure, simple possession, and tampering with or fabricating evidence.

Following his arrest, we spoke with the Hardeman County Board of Education, who confirmed Childers had been suspended.

We later obtained a letter sent to Childers on November 1 from Hardeman County Director of Schools, Christy Smith, which informed him he had been suspended without pay pending an investigation into “allegations of misconduct.” The letter goes on to say the investigation would be concluded as quickly and efficiently as possible. The letter also stated that he was prohibited from being on campus during the investigation.

According to a document from MHS Principal James Crocker, the allegations involved student complaints regarding Childers “touching students on their shoulders and back” and referring to students with terms such as “sweetie” and “darling.” The document also states: “While likely intended as supportive, these actions have caused some discomfort, emphasizing the need for a clear professional approach.”

An additional letter to Childers from Smith, dated November 5, states that “the investigation regarding improper conduct has been concluded with no significant findings of the allegations presented.” That letter informed Childers that he had been officially reinstated with pay for November 1 & November 4.

After his arrest on November 18, records available online show that Childers bonded out of custody at the Hardeman County jail later that same day.

A court hearing has been set for Childers on December 3 at Hardeman County Circuit Court in Bolivar. We’ll continue to provide updates as more information develops.

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