FOXVA News at 10: ACPD's Stewart comments on arrested school administrators

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (#CBS19NEWS) -- Three current and former Albemarle County school administrators are facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly failing to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Former Hollymead Elementary School Principal Joseph McCauley, Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer Jhonce "Brodie" Downs and Title IX Coordinator Erin Stone each face three misdemeanor charges, including charges involving the alleged failure to report information related to aggravated sexual battery. Albemarle County Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Camille Stewart said the charges stem from three separate incidents. "We made three arrests on indictments that were presented to the grand jury regarding mandated reporting for school administrators," Stewart said. "Those events were three separate events that were not reported to the proper channels." McCauley resigned from Hollymead Elementary in July, shortly after former staff member Michael Swiney was arrested on child-sex-abuse charges. "Obviously, we've been investigating the Swiney case for months and months," Stewart said. "So regardless if it's related to the Swiney case or not, these are three events that did not get reported to us." During the investigation, police said they learned that some school employees may have been hesitant to report suspected abuse for fear of disciplinary action or retaliation. Stewart said school employees who suspect abuse do not have to report it through their chain of command. "We want to express that it is a mandated reporting law that they are required to do," Stewart said. "But it doesn't have to go up the chain. It can go directly to CPS or the hotline for child abuse or neglect." Stewart said additional investigations are possible if police receive more information. "I don't know what could be coming down in the future, but we do need to hear from anyone that has information, especially when we need to protect our children in these cases," said Stewart. All three were released on personal recognizance bonds. Police are asking anyone with information about suspected child abuse or neglect to report it directly to Child Protective Services or the statewide child-abuse hotline at 800-552-7096.