MUNCIE, IN — A teacher at Daleville Junior-Senior High School who was recently fired has now been arrested on child seduction charges.
Brady James Smith, 27, of Anderson, was taken into custody by Daleville police on May 6. The three preliminary seduction counts against him are Level 6 felonies carrying maximum 30-month sentences.
Smith was released from the Delaware County Jail after posting a $15,000 bond.
In an affidavit, Smith was accused of “inappropriate behavior” with a student at the Daleville school.
The juvenile said Smith in August told her she was “pretty and had matured since last year.”
He also allegedly described sexual activities he hoped to engage in with the student, and he discouraged her from dating another teen at the school, telling her, “He’s not the right person for you.”
The girl told police Smith eventually told her he loved her and began attending the same church as the juvenile and her family.
She said he came to her home three times when her parents were not there and they “kissed (and) made out” and he fondled her.
The girl’s mother said Smith approached her at the church in March and said he had fallen in love with her daughter.
He also reportedly said he was “just lost” and had “a problem with pornography,” the affidavit said.
In recent days, Greg Roach, superintendent of Daleville Community Schools, sent an email to parents referring to a “staffing change that has recently occurred within our school community.”
Roach said the Daleville school board had fired Smith after an investigation of “allegations of misconduct involving inappropriate communications and interactions with students.”
Smith — who was a physical education teacher and an assistant basketball coach — had been placed on administrative leave while the investigation was ongoing.
Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman’s office will determine whether formal charges will be filed.
Court records reflect no prior charges against Smith.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Fired Daleville teacher arrested, accused of seducing student
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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