Friday’s Twin Falls Times-News has an in-depth followup from Dietrich — the small Magic Valley community reeling from shocking allegations of student sexual abuse.
Among Thursday’s headlines:
- Federal prosecutors have been briefed on the case, although the U.S. Attorney’s Office isn’t actively involved at this time. Three former high school football teammates face criminal charges in connection with the sexual assault of a mentally disabled male classmate.
- The father of the alleged victim is Tim McDaniel, a Dietrich biology teacher. In 2013, he faced an ethics complaint centered on his use of the word “vagina” in class. The state’s Professional Standards Commission dismissed the case.
“I’ve lived there 21 years,” McDaniel told The Times-News Thursday, while he and his wife were driving to look for a new home in a new community. “I’ve never felt like more of an outsider than I do right now.”
The family has filed a $10 million civil lawsuit, saying school officials ignored or even encouraged a pattern of escalating abuse.
The three suspects in the case are white. The alleged victim is black.
Thursday was supposed to be the last day of classes in Dietrich. Classes were canceled and the school was locked Thursday, The Times-News reported.
