While the legal case is just beginning for a woman who worked in the Cloverdale Community School Corporation for several years, its superintendent is reassuring parents, students, faculty and staff the safety of students is his most important concern.
Employee Mandy L. Evans, 46, Cloverdale, was arrested this week and is facing a total of six felony charges related to allegations she committed crimes against children in her care. The Indiana State Police launched an investigation in March after receiving information from the Putnam County Department of Child Services in regards to allegations of dissemination of sexual matters and child seduction with minors from Evans.
Evans is facing three counts of Attempt to Commit: Child Seduction-Child Care Worker in Sexual Intercourse or other Sexual Conduct, Level 5 felony and three charges of Dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony.
According to online records, Evans has served as a substitute teacher, home school advisor, cook and cafeteria worker for the district, as well as working as a special education instructional assistant at Cloverdale Middle School.
Cloverdale Community Schools Superintendent Greg Linton told The Putnam County Post in an email Thursday morning that "at Cloverdale Community Schools, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our students and we take these allegations very seriously."
"In March of this year, we learned that a classified employee, Mandy Evans, had been sending inappropriate communication to some of our students. Immediately upon learning this information, school officials contacted law enforcement. When confronted by administration, the employee resigned. At that time, the former employee was instructed not to be on school property or attend any school events. We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities in their investigation," Linton wrote.
In addition, Linton said everyone in the community should understand this type of behavior will not be tolerated nor will any other conduct that would harm any of the district's students.
"When we learn of any staff members' conduct that may harm one of our students, we immediately take appropriate actions. Because this matter involves confidential student information and pending legal proceedings, Cloverdale Community School Corporation will not be commenting further," Linton said.
Evans was still booked in the Putnam County Jail on Thursday morning on no bond.
