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Published: 2012-09-18 12:00:00
Updated: 2012-09-18 18:31:49

Fayetteville teacher suspended after arrest on sex charges


Bradley Dent, Fayetteville teacher charged with sex crimes
Bradley Dent, Fayetteville teacher charged with sex crimes
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Cumberland County Schools has suspended a Fayetteville elementary school teacher who was charged Monday with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.

Bradley Norman Dent, 46, was arrested at his home in the 7000 block of Lamure Drive. He is charged with one count of sex offense involving a juvenile and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

Dent, a fourth-grade teacher at Long Hill Elementary School, at 6490 Ramsey St., declined to comment Tuesday after going through his initial court appearance and posting a $75,000 bond.

School Superintendent Frank Till said Dent is suspended with pay pending further information about the case.

"We're taking a real look at it," Till said.

Police said the alleged assault occurred between late April and late May at Carolina Counseling Services, at 1318 Raeford Road, where Dent worked part time as a counselor.

The teen's parents notified police of the alleged assault in May, but Fayetteville Police Department spokesman Gavin MacRoberts said the investigation takes time.

"You have to develop the evidence. You have to take your time with the interviews, look for other evidence," MacRoberts said.

An employee of Carolina Counseling Services, who declined to provide her name, said Dent is a licensed social worker who quit working at the facility a few months ago. She didn't say why he left.

MacRoberts said the teen doesn't live in Cumberland County.

Dent has taught in Cumberland County for 7½ years, and Till said he's heard no complaints about him previously.

Police wouldn't say whether they think there might be other victims, but they said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fayetteville Police Department's youth services division at 910-433-1856 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-TIPS.


16 Comments


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Latest Comments
"It amaze3s me the number of people who post here that have already convicted the man.

He has not yet been proven guilty. If he is in fact guilty, then by all means punish him to the fullest extent of the law. I work directly across the hall from the county magistrates office. I intake every person who gets arrested during my work shift. I know full well just how easy it is for someone to walk into the magistrate's office and swear on a bible to false charges. I see it happen often. All it takes is one angry teen girl to say "He did this" and the warrants are issued. No evidence is required, just a sworn statement.

So let's let a jury of this man's peers decide in a court of law wheather or not he is guilty. smalldogsrule"

All one has to do is read the posts here and it becomes crystal clear why I have no use for the jury trial system, at last here. If I ever had to stand trial I would exercise my right to a bench trial instead of a jury of what are certainly not my peers.

The victim I beleive from other reports is male. Mr. Dent has been vocal that he is bisexual. This is not his first rodeo. The county needs to check their hiring practices.

Charmc....these people dont want adults. They are called pedophiles.

Scared for all my grandchildren...a bunch of disturbed folks out there. There was a man down the street who took pictures of my kids, and me,for years and guess what? It is legal. I had no rights whatsoever. Now, there are kids waiting at a bus stop right near and in his driveway. who knows what people do? Might be just a photograoher...who k ow? I just dont like strangers taking my pictures. I am not a celebrity after all. All I can suggest is to watch your kids....close...and pay attention to them.

lsmiths, nothing personal but you're kidding, right? And no one said anything when he wore the costume and heels to school? Please, more info.

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