2 Alabama school administrators didn’t report abuse allegations against teacher, police say

Two administrators within the Dothan City Schools system are facing charges after police say they failed to report abuse allegations regarding a former teacher. Bertha Nicole Guilford, the district's Title IX Coordinator, and Sophia Lanetta Hedrington, the former interim principal at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary, have both been charged with failure to comply with Alabama’s Mandatory Reporting Law.

Ongoing Investigation into Former Teacher

These arrests stem from the ongoing criminal investigation into Johnny Mark Dunaway, a former teacher who faces multiple charges, including child sex abuse and enticing a child for immoral purposes. Dunaway remains held in the Houston County Jail on bonds totaling more than $1 million.

Authorities allege that Dunaway threatened his victims to keep his actions quiet. According to WTVY reporting, Dunaway allegedly told a student he would “blow (the student’s) head off or blow off the heads of his family” if the misconduct was disclosed.

Timeline of Events

The investigation into Dunaway gained momentum on May 6, when the Houston County Department of Human Resources alerted Dothan police to claims of inappropriate behavior between a school employee and a student. While school officials initially told investigators the employee had been placed on administrative leave, police records show a more complicated history regarding internal reporting.

Detectives discovered that a complaint regarding Dunaway’s conduct was made to Dothan City Schools as early as February, but the matter was handled internally. A second report surfaced on April 28, prompting another internal review. School officials did not notify the Houston County Department of Human Resources—which subsequently involved police—until May 6.

Legal Developments

Since the initial investigation, a second victim has come forward, according to reports released Friday. Charging documents allege that Dunaway lured a 7-year-old child into his school office for sex acts between August 2023 and May 24. Dunaway’s initial arrest last month included charges of sexual abuse of a child under 12, seven counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes, and one count of interference with custody.

Search warrants executed at Dunaway’s Dale County home on May 13 led to the seizure of several items now undergoing forensic examination. Investigators have also issued court orders for data from various social media and gaming platforms.

Dustin Fowler, an attorney representing Dothan City Schools, stated that the district had begun termination proceedings against Dunaway before his arrest, citing the need to comply with tenured teacher notice provisions under Alabama law. Fowler added that the school board was unaware of the February complaint at the time. Despite these revelations, the district maintains its focus, stating that the safety of students remains the primary priority for Superintendent Dr. Askew, Board Chairman Dr. Turner, and the school board.

Guilford and Hedrington both surrendered to the Houston County jail and were released after posting a $1,000 bond each.