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The director of Camp Whitley is facing more than 30 criminal charges alleging she had a sexual relationship with a teenage boy.
Tara L. Brandon, 38, of Columbia City, was arrested Thursday on 15 counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and 18 counts of child seduction.
The victim, now 18, told police that Brandon had sexual contact with him at least 15 times before he turned 16. They had sexual contact at least 18 times in the summers of 2007 and 2008 when he was 16 and 17. The encounters rarely occurred at the camp and never when campers were there, a probable cause affidavit said.
A witness told detectives he saw sexual activity involving Brandon and the victim at Brandon’s home early this year, the affidavit said.
The victim also reported that Brandon tried to break up his relationship with his girlfriend. Brandon sent the girl several text messages bad-mouthing the victim, the documents said.
Camp Whitley is a summer camp about 10 miles northwest of Columbia City. It advertises that it has a safe environment for campers to participate in boating, archery, arts and crafts and other activities.
