*Editors note: This story has been corrected to state that the individual who reported the conversation with Pate to the police worked in a separate school organization.
CLAY CITY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A special education teacher at Clay City High School is on administrative leave after being charged with dissemination of matter harmful to minors.
According to court documents, police were made aware of a situation involving Special Education Teacher Danielle Nikki Pate and an alleged inappropriate relationship with one of her students on February 20.
Another teacher who works in another school organization told police that Pate had confessed to having a two-week inappropriate sexual relationship with a student during a dinner at a restaurant, knowing that the teacher would have to report what they had learned to higher-ups.
“[Coworker] said that Nikki told her that [Student] was mature and she was molding him into the type of person that she wanted him to become,” the document reads.
During a forensic interview at Suzie’s Place, the student denied having such a relationship. However, investigating officers reported finding at least two lewd pictures of Pate reportedly sent to the student through Snapchat on the student’s cell phone.
[Coworker] said that she asked Nikki what was going to happen when people found out about this. [Coworker] said that Nikki told her that [Student] was a troubled boy and they will believe her over him.
Probable Cause Affidavit filed in Clay County Court
A search of court records indicates charges were filed against Pate on April 17.
Judge Joseph D. Trout granted the defense’s motion to stay the execution of a warrant for the arrest of Pate pending her release from a hospital on Friday, April 21. Court records indicate that the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office has filed an objection to that motion.
Clay Community Schools Superintendent Jeff Fritz sent WTWO the following statement in regard to Pate’s status with the organization.
“The Clay Community Schools (CCS) Administration was informed of possible inappropriate conduct between a CCS teacher and a student. School personnel immediately notified the Department of Child Services and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office of the situation, and the teacher was placed on administrative leave by the school corporation, pending law enforcement’s and internal investigations. CCS fully cooperated with law enforcement and other agencies. We encourage students and employees to immediately report any instances of inappropriate conduct. These reports are taken very seriously and are thoroughly investigated.”
Clay Community Schools Superintendent Jeff Fritz
An initial hearing for Pate is scheduled for June 28 at 9 a.m. in Clay County Circuit Court.
