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2 more students accuse former teacher charged with indecent liberties

By Stephanie Tinoco and Elsa Gillis
By Stephanie Tinoco and Elsa Gillis

MONROE, N.C. — The Union County Sheriff's Office told Channel 9 Thursday morning that a former teacher already facing charges of indecent liberties with a student has been charged with additional counts after two more students came forward.

Detectives said Daniel Stanford was arrested Wednesday after two more students accused him of engaging in criminal conduct.

Last month, investigators said 35-year-old Stanford, who recently resigned as a teacher at Parkwood Middle School, is accused of having inappropriate conduct with a former student between 2014 and 2015.

Deputies said Standford, of Waxhaw, now faces 12 more charges, including four counts of indecent liberties with a student, four counts of indecent liberties with a child and four counts of simple assault.

Those charges are in addition to the 16 charges he was already facing. His next court date is July 5.

Officials are encouraging anyone with information to contact the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office said the original victim came forward in early May with the allegations.

"It’s still probably premature to go into what those specific allegations are,” said Tony Underwood with the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The district alerted parents about the accusations after Stanford was arrested.

That was the first time parents were contacted and it was after the district said the alert was not released right away because it was a criminal investigation handled by the sheriff's office.

"You're my child's school,” parent Holly Stubbins said. “You're there to protect my child when I can't be there, teach my child and make sure nothing happens to them. You can't tell me this is just (a) Union County sheriff's issue -- this is your issue."

The principal said in the alert that students’ emotional and social health is extremely important and there will be additional counselors at the school as they work through the situation.

Full message:

"Good evening parents, this Dr. Jeff Kraftson calling with an important message. As you may have heard, former Parkwood Middle teacher, Mr. Stanford, was arrested and charged with several crimes. I know many of you have questions about this case, but because this is an active investigation with the Union County Sheriff’s Office and a personnel matter, I am not at liberty to share any details or answer questions about the case.

School staff is working with law enforcement on this investigation. I want you to know that keeping our students safe and the social and emotional health of each child at Parkwood Middle is extremely important to our staff. As we work through this situation, there will be additional counselors at our school to support students. If you have concerns, please share information with counselors or school administrators. Thank you for your cooperation." 

Danielle Moore told Channel 9 reporter Stephanie Tinoco that her daughter was a student in Stanford's eighth-grade social studies class this year.

"It’s completely floored me; had no idea that that could have been the case," Moore said. "It's a pretty big shock to all of us. It's a big shock to her, too. I mean (my daughter) loved his class."

Detectives said they believe that many of the encounters occurred on the school premises.

"My heart breaks for whoever it was,” Moore said. “That's just the unimaginable. And as a parent, man, I couldn't imagine if that was my kid."

Parents told Tinoco that the district didn't communicate with them about the arrest.

"It infuriates me that I had no conversation, no e-mail, no letter sent home, no phone call, nothing,” Moore said.

A school district spokesperson told Channel 9 they did not communicate with parents because this is a criminal investigation handled by the sheriff's office, but that the district will be discussing whether any changes are needed with their procedures.

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