A Bardstown High School substitute teacher has reportedly been arrested and charged with sexual abuse for engaging in a sexual relationship with one of the students.
Mary “Hanna” Mattingly, 31, was arrested on Monday. The charges against Mattingly include sexual abuse and the use of electronic communications to entice, lure, or coerce a minor to engage in sexual acts or to view harmful material.
The Bardstown Police Department initiated the investigation after learning that Mattingly was in an inappropriate relationship with one of the Bardstown High School students.
The police investigation revealed that Mattingly had sexual intercourse with the student and had communicated electronically with the same student, sending partially nude photographs of herself.
The school district stated that it had received an anonymous letter last Thursday, March 26, alleging inappropriate behavior between a female substitute teacher and a student.
Bardstown City Schools Superintendent Ryan Clark stated that the school district immediately initiated an investigation and removed Mattingly from the school.
The school district then contacted the police department to report the allegations. Clark declined to make further comments about the case, citing that it was a personnel issue.
“As a school district, we always take any report seriously and investigate thoroughly. We are committed to the safety and education of our students. As always, we encourage our students, parents, and staff to report to District Administrators anything they see or hear that is alarming or inappropriate.”
The Bardstown Police Department stated that the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the police department at 502-348-6811 or the anonymous tipline at 502-348-4328.
