Nikole Babb, nbabb@cherryroad.com
On Tuesday morning the Augusta Department of Public Safety, (ADPS), arrested an Augusta Public Schools staff member for alleged sexual assault on a student.
The ADPS identified the man as William A. Wetzel who is an Augusta resident. The school district had called ADPS around 8:50am on Tuesday to report the incident, which was discovered by school officials on video footage. According to the press release sent out by ADPS, the footage indicated that the assault happened at the end of the day on Monday while on a school bus.
Wetzel was arrested at a remote school facility where no children were present directly after the report was made. He was booked on charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. ADPS did advise that the circumstances and evidence provided indicated that the case was an isolated incident with no other children present and no other victims in the case identified.
USD 402 confirmed with the Times-Gazette that Wetzel was employed as a Bus Aide at the time of assault.
In a press release sent out by USD 402, Superintendent Matt Ward said that the district is in full cooperation with law enforcement in the investigation process. He also said that safety if the district’s top priority and misconduct is never tolerated.
“The district is investigating, and and we have offered our full cooperation to the ongoing law enforcement investigation. In review of previous school bus video footage there have been no other incidents found, and this appears to be an isolated incident. There were no other students on the bus when this took place.
USD 402 employees are expected to make provide every student a safe and caring experience – no exceptions! Sexual misconduct of any kind is absolutely unacceptable, violating everything we stand for.
We cannot share details of this incident, due to confidentiality laws and our district’s commitment to the privacy of our students and families,” said Ward in a press release.
“The situation is an important reminder that it takes all of us to keep our students safe. We appreciate the ongoing partnership with law enforcement, and we urge students and families to report any known or suspected abuse or other misconduct without delay. Thank you for respecting the privacy of the family involved in this situation, and thank you for your ongoing partnership,” said Ward.
Wetzel will make his first appearance in Butler County courts on Wednesday, December 18 at 1:30pm via Zoom. He is being held at the Butler County Adult Detention Facility on a no bond hold. Augusta Public Schools did confirm they would be releasing a statement soon. The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE 12/17/24, 3:18pm: This article has been updated to include the suspect’s job title with USD 402.
UPDATE 12/17/24, 2:47pm: This article has been updated to include commentary from a USD 402 press release.
UPDATE 12/17/24, 2:24pm: This article has been updated to include Wetzel’s mugshot and court appearance information.
