Teacher Dwight Lawing Charged with Criminal Sexual Misconduct with a Minor
In South Carolina, Dwight Lawing, 39, was arrested for having inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old student. Lawing is the band teacher at Wallace Elementary/Middle School. He is formally charged with criminal sexual misconduct with a minor, and with dissemination of a harmful material to a minor. (I am guessing that the “harmful material” is either porn, alcohol, or drugs.)
During the past year, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office had received several complaints about the teacher. However, they could not move forward with an investigation or arrest since they had no factual information. They finally proceeded after the 15-year-old victim contacted police about what happened to him/her. (The identity of the victim is being hidden because of his/her age, and I don’t want to assume it is a girl. Boys get molested, too.)
Afterwards a warrant was obtained to search Lawing’s home. Officers seized computer that was turned over to the state law enforcement division for further investigation. If they find something else - like child porn or emails between victims and the teacher - more charges could be filed.
School officials say that Lawing is still employed with the district, but is on medical leave. In fact, he was on medical leave before his arrest. This leads me to believe they knew Lawing was being investigated and may have suspected that he would be arrested soon. Better to have him picked up by the cops at home than on school grounds in front of the kids.
The district is also pursuing their own investigation and plans to notifying parents about the incident. The sheriff’s office is asking families and faculty to talk with students to find out if there are more victims. (I am sure there will be since the sheriff’s office had received complaints.)
It is unfortunate that police could not have preventing the teenager from being harmed. However, the reality is that someone had to come forward with hard evidence before they could do something. And no one was willing to until this child was molested. It takes a brave kid and supportive parents to come forward. I hope they get the help they need to deal with the incident and the upcoming trial.
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