Middle school teachers traded sexually explicit photos with same student, NC cops say
Two middle school teachers in North Carolina have been arrested on child sex charges involving the same student, according to the sheriff’s office.
Ethan Andrew Grose and Justin Andrew Avery, both 29, were arrested Sunday on charges of third-degree exploitation of a minor, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Monday. Avery is also accused of taking indecent liberties with a child.
“During the investigation, evidence was obtained that showed both teachers communicated with the student via social media applications, and exchanged sexually explicit images,” the news release said.
Grose was first arrested Dec. 23, jail records show. Deputies in neighboring Iredell County took him back into custody Sunday on a new charge for exploitation.
Both men are teachers at West Rowan Middle School, roughly 35 miles northeast of Charlotte.
Grose started working at the school in August 2015 but resigned in December, a spokesperson for the Rowan-Salisbury School System told McClatchy News. Avery, who started in September 2017, was placed on “disciplinary suspension without pay” on Monday.
“We join our families in being appalled and angry over this situation,” the district said in a statement. “This is not acceptable and we hold our staff accountable to high standards and expectations. We encourage families to talk with their children about safety, including the importance of relying on trusted adults, such as parents, teachers, ministers, school resource officers, and others.”
Officials said the district has protocol in place for “difficult situations” — including conducting internal investigations, reviewing existing processes and cooperating with law enforcement.
They also encouraged parents to share any additional information with the Sheriff’s Office.
“We are fortunate to have SROs who are responsive to the needs of our students and who work closely with school administration to create a team atmosphere and enriching place for our children to learn and grow,” officials said in the statement.
A third suspect, 24-year-old Donovan Perez Hernandez, was also charged with indecent liberties and exploitation of a minor involving the same student, according to the release.
He is not associated with the school district but lives in Salisbury, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Avery posted bond in Rowan County and was released, a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told McClatchy News. Grose was arrested in neighboring Iredell County and has also posted bond, jail records show.
Deputies have not been able to locate Hernandez since receiving warrants for his arrest.
“Anyone with information of the whereabouts of Donovan Hernandez is asked to call 911 or Salisbury/Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245, and assist in his arrest,” the release states.
