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Warrick teacher accused of hiding camera in bathroom has resigned

Andrew Emmons, the Boonville Middle School teacher accused of placing a hidden camera inside a faculty restroom, officially turned in his resignation Oct. 4.

Warrick County School Corp. Brad Schneider made that announcement at a school board meeting Monday night.

“This has been a very difficult thing,” said Schneider. “The staff at Boonville Middle School has handled this very well. But it is tough. This is a violation of people’s privacy and it was done by a co-worker, someone you should be able to trust.”

Schneider confirmed multiple victims had been secretly videotaped, but said he could not discuss the total number or their ages.

“While Mr. Emmons has resigned and his employment is terminated, this is still an ongoing investigation with law enforcement,” Schneider said. “As far as I know, there was just one camera. But as far as locations, I can’t comment on that at this time.”

A Boonville Middle School female staff member found a camera Sept. 13 and reported it to the school’s principal, William Wilder. The police were contacted, and officers and Wilder attempted to see what images the camera had captured.

“They played the video, and it’s my understanding that video actually showed the perpetrator placing the camera in the faculty restroom,” Schneider said.

Emmons had been a sixth-grade teacher at the school. He had been suspended without pay since the recording device was discovered. All of the victims have now been notified.

“I can tell people this: If they have not been notified by law enforcement or school officials, then their child or their spouse or whoever is not a victim,” Schneider said. “We have notified the victims, and informed them that they had been found on video of some sort.”

Schneider said the school corporation had its school counselors ready to help any of the victims, and would provide any resources necessary. He said the school’s staff has been working to make school days as normal as possible.

“Obviously, when charges are filed, that is going to open this up again,” he said. “Everyone is doing as well as can be expected. But this leaves a black eye on the school, the school corporation and the town.”

Emmons and his attorney met with Schneider on Oct. 3 to review the matter. As a result of that conference, Schneider sent a written recommendation to the school board to terminate Emmons’ contract. However, Emmons resigned the following day. Schneider is now in the process of notifying the state to request Emmons’ teaching license be revoked.

No criminal charges have been filed against Emmons, but Schneider said he expects charges to be filed soon. When that happens, Schneider hopes to be able to fully explain all of the details of the case. He said it has been difficult not being able to be completely open.

“I look forward to the day that we can come out with law enforcement and talk about the specifics of it, and we will,” he said. “I do understand parents’ and community members’ frustration. I promise we are doing everything we possibly can. We want to do everything we can so the perpetrator of this crime can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”