Pike Central School Superintendent and Principal Indicted

PIKE COUNTY, IN - Thursday afternoon, March 12, a Pike County Circuit Court Grand Jury indicted Pike Central High School Superintendent D. John Thomas, 61, and Pike Central High School Principal LeAnne Kelley, 46, for failing to report child abuse or neglect, class B misdemeanor. 

The indictments stem from two separate cases involving Luke Musslewhite, 26, a former teacher at Pike Central High School.  The first investigation, which was initiated in August 2008, revealed Musslewhite allegedly sent hundreds of text messages to a 17-year-old female student during October and November 2007. Several of the messages were sexual in nature.  On September 2, 2008, Musslewhite was arrested by Indiana State Police for dissemination of harmful material to a minor, class D felony and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, class A misdemeanor.   

Another investigation was initiated in January after receiving information that Musselwhite allegedly battered a female student at Pike Central High School in August 2008.  During the investigation it was revealed that Musslewhite allegedly struck a female student on the back of her leg with a yard stick.  On January 22, Indiana State Police Detective Tobias Odom arrested Musslewhite for battery, class B misdemeanor. 

LeAnne Kelley

During those investigations, Detective Odom received additional information that Thomas and Kelley had knowledge of both incidents involving Musslewhite and they failed to notify police or child protective services.   

As the result of Detective Odom’s investigations, Pike County Prosecutor Darrin McDonald presented the information to a grand jury.  After several days of testimony, the grand jury indicted Thomas and Kelley.  They were arrested today at 2:45 p.m. after turning themselves in at the Pike County Jail.  They were both released after posting bond.