FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SC (WIS) - Two of the three male students accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female classmate at Fairfield Central High School a week ago pleaded guilty in family court Monday morning.
Judge Thomas Sprott sentenced the two boys to 9 months probation and community service. The judge also ruled that the boys must undergo a psychological consultation and write apology letters to the victim and her family.
The third teen accused of the assault did not enter a plea, but was also released on probation.
Fairfield County deputies say the girl was inappropriately touched on March 12 while her teacher was outside of the classroom.
Deputies say the three boys approached the girl, who was sitting at her desk, and touched her breasts and other parts of her body from behind.
"Three juvenile males in a classroom setting did approach a juvenile female at that time they did forcibly pull her shirt open exposing herself to those three males," said Capt. Brad Douglas.
According to investigators, the attack lasted for at least 10 minutes and there is no evidence anyone tried to stop it.
"At this time we don't believe it was a consensual act," said Douglas.
According to an incident report, the boys held her down "against her will," exposed her chest, took pictures and one suspect even put his mouth on her. The victim was touched all over her body, between her legs, and on her buttocks, the report stated.
"These are very serious charges," said Douglas. "The charge is assault and battery in the first degree and that includes forcible fondling or unwanted touching."
Douglas said the class apparently returned to normal when the teacher came back into the room. The girl waited to report the incident until Wednesday. At that time, the sheriff's department arrested the boys.
"Hopefully this is something that won't happen at that school again," said Douglas.
The boys are charged with a misdemeanor because there was no penetration, which is one of the main stipulations that separates the assault and battery charge from criminal sexual conduct.
"There was no penetration no oral sex and as far as we can tell no attempt to do any of those acts," said Assistant Solicitor Riley Maxwell.
Some parents said they were outraged about the incident but had differing views about whether the teacher should be held responsible
"I have younger kids in that are in school and just imagine I would not want that to happen to them, so yeah she should be fired," said Kolisa Douglas.
Bobby Thompson disagrees.
"Unless she was doing something she really shouldn't have been doing," said Thompson. "But just to go walk out to the bathroom go use the phone for five minutes no I don't think so."
Five days after the incident, the teacher in charge of the classroom where the assault happened was placed on administrative leave with pay until the school district finishes its investigation.
It is unclear if the students will be allowed to continue attending class at the high school. The district said it was cooperating fully with the Fairfield County Sheriff's Department.
The third teen is due back in court sometime in the next 40 days.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
A large crowd gathered in family court Monday morning.
