Attleboro, Mass. Principal Charged with Molesting Student over 5-Year Period

NECN
January 15, 2014

http://www.necn.com/01/15/14/Attleboro-Mass-principal-charged-with-mo/landing.html?blockID=861772&feedID=11106

[with video]

(NECN: Jackie Bruno) - According to Attleboro, Mass. police, an Attleboro school principal is facing charges, accused of molesting a student.

Reverend Jeffery Nichols worked at the Grace Baptist Christian Academy in Attleboro. The academy is part of the Grace Baptist Church.

The school is shocked and saddened by the news. But now they're focused on trying to console and counsel their community through this unbelievable ordeal.

The school is still reeling from the news that Nichols has been accused of molesting a female student for last five years. The abuse allegedly started at age 13. Now the victim is a senior, the same age as one of Nichols' three children. His wife also works at the school as a teacher.

Head Pastor Jeff Bailey told NECN that he found out about the allegations on Monday, when Nichols appeared in his driveway.

Bailey said, “He came up told me everything. I dismissed his employment on the spot, and then said, “You know I need you to go home, get your affairs in order.””

Now Bailey has to guide his church and school through this tragedy. A memo is going home to the younger students so parents can handle this how they see fit.

The school is small, with only 107 students in all. For 23 years Nichols was a big part of what they call a "family."

Bailey said, “He coached our sports teams, he taught a full load of classes, handled the day to day administrative responsibilities. “

How do you prevent something like this from happening again?


Bailey said, “The problem wasn’t' the policy. The problem was the person implementing the policy. In other words, he was in charge of making sure the policy worked. This has been going on for five years.  He’s been here for 23. So for 18 years that builds up a lot of trust. I would have trust him with my own life.”

Bailey said he's talked to the victim and her family, assuring them that they have the support of the school. As for Nichols and his family, they say they will help them through this as much as they can, but the pastor says he has no sympathy for him at all.