Teacher accused of sexual contact with student surrenders
Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News
Published November 14, 2006 at midnight
A Brighton Charter High School teacher accused of having sexual contact with a boy while chaperoning a school camping trip turned herself in at the Jefferson County Jail this morning.
This is the second time in less than a year that an adult connected to the school has been investigated for having a sexual encounter with a student.
The teacher, Carrie McCandless, 29, is the wife of school Principal Chris McCandless. She has been fired from the school.
McCandless arrived at the jail with a bondsman at 9 a.m. to answer a warrant issued for her arrest by a Larimer County judge. She was released at noon after posting $20,000 bond.
Her first court date has been set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 in Larimer County.
She took a group of students to Estes Park the last weekend in October and allegedly wound up in a room alone with a 17-year-old boy at the YMCA of the Rockies.
An adult male was scheduled to go but had to cancel at the last minute, making Carrie McCandless the sole adult chaperone, police said.
After interviewing about a dozen people, police brought the case to the Larimer County District Attorney's Office last week and recommended charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
"I think the young man is very confused, and he's understandably hesitant to talk about it," Brighton police Chief Clint Blackhurst said.
McCandless faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
Police filed similar charges against former Brighton Charter substitute teacher David Wayne Mundy Jr. in June.
Police say the 31-year-old was involved with three girls ages 14 to 16 at his apartment last New Year's Eve.
"The girls allege that he was attempting to kiss them and fondle their breasts," Brighton police spokesman John Bradley said.
Mundy, who was working as a Brighton firefighter at the time, is the son of David Mundy Sr., chairman of the school's board of directors.
He has pleaded guilty to sex assault on a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, 9News reported.
He resigned his firefighting job in October because of the case and faces up to 12 years in prison at his sentencing in January, the station reported.
Featured
-
Through Your Lens
Submit your photos or see the Editor's Choice slide show here.
-
Rocky Multimedia
The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.
-
Holiday Lights
Is your house the jolliest on the block? Submit your holiday lights display.
-
Holiday Gift Guide
Looking to get a jump-start on the holiday shopping season?
-
Mount Crushmore
Which four Broncos greats should be immortalized on Mount Crushmore? Vote here.
-
Bronco Dean's rant
Listen to Bronco Dean's midweek rant on the Chiefs.
-
Broncos Video
Get the latest from Dove Valley as the Broncos prepare for Sunday's matchup.
-
Calendar wallpaper
Download this month's desktop wallpaper calendar
-
Sam Adams' Open Mic
Open Mic: Stirrin' the Soup with Matt Iseman
Post your comment
Registration is required. Click here to create your free user account, or login below.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.