Warren County boy accused of sexually assaulting girl at school

Warrenton, N.C. — Deputies held a Warren County Middle School student at a juvenile detention center Wednesday as they investigated claims that he had sexually assaulted a girl in the school's bathroom Tuesday.

Patrick Draffin, the school system's Community Schools director, said the boy has been suspended from school, at 118 Campus Drive in Warrenton, pending the investigation.

Neither Draffin nor Warren County Sheriff Johnny Williams would provide the students' ages. Williams would also not specify where the boy was being held.

Draffin released a letter the school sent home to parents Tuesday to let them know about the investigation. In it, Principal Angela Richardson tries to reassure parents and tells them they can call her.

"We, at Warren County Middle School, have notified the proper law authorities, and we are cooperating with the proper officials to make sure that the matter is resolved and resolved well," she wrote. "Please, know that we are making all efforts to assure student safety. The staff and administrators will continue to closely monitor students daily."

Under state law, the police or district attorney can file a complaint with District Court saying they believe someone under 18 is "a delinquent or undisciplined juvenile," and a juvenile court counselor issues a petition moving the youth into the court system.

14 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 14 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments

i just knew this would happen.first they share a smile then a eat togeather next lunch at the same table then they share each others lunch. instant jail time.

woodrowboyd2
February 25, 2009 9:34 p.m.

Maybe time will tell whether or not this was truly assault, but this sort of thing has been happening since dirt was born. If the truth be known, there is probably at least one child at each school every school year that endures some form of abuse in the confines of the school that no one is the wiser of. I, myself, am glad this came out, because there are many more suffering at the hands of their peers - whether you choose to believe it or not.

familyfour
February 25, 2009 7:08 p.m.

Children need to be taught to have respect for themselves and others. Without respect all the sex ed and teaching about drug use will not protect stop the assaults I have known drunks and drug abusers none assaulted anyone. Not to say it doesn't happen but if some of these people had some self repect they would not commit the crimes

iron fist
February 25, 2009 3:57 p.m.

First of all, the boy has only been "accused" not yet "charged" so there's further investigation going on.

And to the one who said the girls always go scott free, what planet have you been living on?

Men and boys have gotten away with inappropriate behavior towards women for generations.

Praying for both of these children.

God bless.

RB