Spartanburg counselor charged for failing to report student sexual assault
Image: Spartanburg Co. Sheriff’s Office
Image: Spartanburg Co. Sheriff's Office
Spartanburg, SC (WOLO) — The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office has placed charges on a Clifdale Middle School guidance counselor officials say failed to report a student’s sexual assault.
According to authorities, a student confided in the guidance counselor, 61 year old Joy Allen on two separate occasions claiming that while attending the Clifdale Elementary School they had been sexually assaulted by one of their peers.
According to deputies, the student acknowledged that they had repeatedly told Ms. Allen, but deputies say Allen who knew the information between August 2021 – February of 2024 never reported it to either the Department of Social Services (DSS) or authorities, as is required by law.
Deputies say that same student gave the information to a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Daniel Morgan Applies Technology Center. Deputies say further investigating determined the student had been seen at the Children’s Advocacy Center where they confirmed the sexual assault and repeated that Ms. Allen had in fact been told about the alleged incidents. The student told deputies that Ms. Allen said that it had been took long for any action to be taken.
Taggart Houck, Public Information Officer for Spartanburg School District 3 released a brief statement concerning the incident saying, ”
“Spartanburg School District Three has been notified that, on June 25th, one of our guidance counselors was charged by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office with a misdemeanor pursuant to the SC state law regarding the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect. In accordance with District practice, that employee has been notified that placement on administrative leave effective at the start of the 2024-25 school year will be enacted if the matter is not resolved prior to that date. As this is a personnel issue, the District will not comment further at this time.”
Deputies say Allen turned herself in to the Spartanburg County Detention Center Wednesday where she has been charged with Failure to Report Child Abuse/Neglect. Authorities say Allen has not yet had a bond hearing and remains behind bars.
