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A Columbia City woman accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage boy has been removed from her position as the head of a children’s summer camp and from her Whitko High School teaching job.
Tara L. Brandon has been on unpaid leave from Whitko Community Schools since prosecutors informed the district last month they were investigating sex crimes allegations against the 38-year-old, Superintendent Steven R. Clason said.
Clason said the district conducted an investigation, and officials do not believe the sixth-year biology teacher had improper relationships with any Whitko students.
Brandon was arrested Thursday on 15 counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and 18 counts of child seduction.
The charges were filed after the victim told police Brandon had sexual contact with him more than 30 times, starting when he was younger than 16 and continuing through the time he turned 18.
The victim also reported that Brandon tried to break up his relationship with his girlfriend by sending her text messages that badmouthed him, according to a probable cause affidavit.
A witness told detectives he saw sexual activity involving Brandon and the victim at Brandon’s home early this year, the affidavit said.
Some of the encounters occurred at the camp, where she was director for 13 years, though only rarely and never when campers were there, the victim reported.
The president of Camp Whitley’s board of directors, Carrie Gates, said the camp is aware of the charges and that Brandon is no longer employed there. But Gates would not answer other questions about Brandon and said, “the matter does not directly pertain to Camp Whitley.”
Camp Whitley will continue to operate this summer and its “experienced and dedicated staff” is looking forward to this year, Gates said.
Camp Whitley is a summer camp about 10 miles northwest of Columbia City that advertises a safe environment for campers to participate in boating, archery, arts and crafts and other activities.
