BRAXTON BAND DIRECTOR CHARGED FOR NOT REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT

(01/17/2015)
A Braxton County band director, Allen Parker Heath, 31, of Sutton, has been charged with failing to report a sexual assault as mandated by law.

A 17-year-old girl texted Heath on December 8, 2014, saying she had been sexually assaulted, according to a criminal complaint.

Heath allegedly traveled to Gassaway to pick her up, and took her back to his place in Sutton, where she stayed the night, without notifying her parents where she was or what had happened, according to the criminal complaint.

The next day, West Virginia State Police say Heath took the student to meet her mother.

Investigators say Heath was approached about the alleged assault by the school's principal, who then contacted West Virginia State Police.

According to the criminal complaint, Heath admitted he made no attempt in contacting the victim's parents, law enforcement, or seeking medical attention for the girl.

Heath told investigators the girl said she didn't want him to say anything about it.

According to law, a teacher is considered a mandated reporter and has 48 hours to report a sexual assault incident to the proper authorities.