13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Charges formally filed against IPS math teacher

Charges formally filed against IPS math teacher

Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Details released Tuesday by prosecutors shed new light on the sex charges against an IPS teacher.

The probable cause affidavit outlines what prosecutors call "serious trust violations" by IPS math teacher Lee Tibbetts. Metro police sex crimes detective Greg Norris arrested Tibbetts for what two students said happened behind closed doors.

"Locked the door and started asking inappropriate questions," said Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi. "Questions involving sex and ultimately led to sex acts."

Tibbetts taught math at John Marshall Community High School. In August 2008, a 15-year-old boy reported sexual advances by Tibbetts, which were later ruled unfounded. Now, a 13-year-old boy says since March, Tibbetts has repeatedly molested him.

"You don't, as a parent, expect these things to go on in school," Brizzi said.

Tibbetts' charges include six counts of child molestation and one count of child solicitation. IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene White immediately suspended Tibbetts with pay when the allegations surfaced, but now things have changed.

"Make a recommendation to the superintendent on his further status which, basically, they are staring the process to terminate him," said IPS spokesperson Kim Hooper.

Tuesday's charges might not be the only hot spot for Tibbetts. The probable cause against the teacher outlines the same allegations from another student.

"He was employed in Cincinnati and he left there under not such great terms," Brizzi said.

Tibbetts will make a second court appearance this week to hear formal charges. IPS has contacted the state Department of Education about the allegations against Tibbetts.