RITCHIE TEACHER CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ABUSE

(02/28/2014)
A Ritchie County High School special education teacher was arrested and accused of sexually abusing a student on two occasions at the school.

David Peter Weekley, 43, of 2323 Gnats Run Road, Pennsboro, is charged with first- and second-degree counts of sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse by a parent/custodian, according to a release from the West Virginia State Police.

Weekley was arraigned in Ritchie County Magistrate Court, where bond was set at $100,000. Magistrate clerk Janis Mahaney said Weekley posted bond and was released until a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 6.

According to the criminal complaint from magistrate court, the investigation began on Feb. 7, when Cpl. J.L. Brewer with the State Police's Harrisville detachment took a complaint from the school system.

The complaint alleges two sexual encounters with a student.

Ritchie County Schools Superintendent Ed Toman said that the district will thoroughly investigate the allegations and "appropriate action will be taken."

Toman clarified that the teacher who is accused is a different individual than the David Weekley who serves as the district's director of student support services.