Results On Alleged Indecent Exposure Probe

Mobile County's school superintendent has released the findings of an internal investigation into an alleged incident of indecent exposure involving a middle school teacher.
Charles Lewis, a teacher at Causey Middle School, has since been arrested on a charge of child sex abuse in a separate case in Baldwin County.
The report, released by Superintendent Roy Nichols, said the allegation is that, in September, the child saw Charles Lewis's genital area when Lewis was changing clothes in a classroom closet.
Nichols said the principal questioned the child and teacher.
The superintendent said, "The principal investigated the allegation, found that, although there was some substance to it, she came to the conclusion that it was an accident, not anything sexual in nature. Therefore, (she) decided that it did not need to be reported."
But Nichols said, in looking back, the Department of Human Resources, or DHR, should have been notified.
He said, "In hindsight, it probably would have been better had the incident been reported and let DHR make the decision as to whether it rises to the level warranting an investigation or not."
Nichols also said, in October, the parent's attorney wrote a letter asking for a class change for the child.
The superintendent said, in January, after Lewis's arrest in Baldwin County and the subject of the letter was reported in the media, he directed the incident be reported to DHR. He also said he heard back from DHR officials.
Nichols said, "First, they said they agreed that it did not rise to the level warranting an investigation, and then, the next day, they changed their mind and said a third party had come forward and convinced them that an investigation does need to be done, so they're in the midst of doing that."
After hearing the results of the investigation, some school board members expressed concerns.
Board Member Levon Manzie said, "The subjectivity that the principals have, in my opinion, should be reconsidered and, if an allegation is made or something is brought forth, we need to turn it over to the proper authorities."
Mobile Police told News Five they have opened an investigation into the allegation of indecent exposure involving Lewis and the Causey student.
They said Tuesday, the detective assigned to the case and an official with the Department of Human Resources met with the student to determine if a crime was committed.
Lewis is free on $10,000 bail in the Baldwin County case.