Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 8, 1993                   TAG: 9306080087
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PRINCIPAL CHARGED IN CASE

William Shepherd was charged with the misdemeanor offense late last week, Chief Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Betty Jo Anthony said Monday.

The commonwealth's attorney's office had been asked to decide whether charges should be filed after the April 27 incident came to light.

Although the charge is rare, Shepherd's case marked the second time it has been brought in the past week in Southwest Virginia.

Last week, a grand jury in Floyd County indicted two Head Start workers on charges of failing to report the suspected sexual abuse of a 5-year-old girl.

In Shepherd's case, several teachers at Hurt Park Elementary School raised concerns when the child arrived at the school with bruises on her face, authorities said.

Those concerns were passed on to Shepherd, who was required by state law to "immediately" report such suspicions to the proper authorities.

But it was four hours before Child Protective Services in Roanoke learned of the case - and then not from a school official but a concerned relative.

The 11-year-old's mother has since been charged with abusing the child.

State law requires teachers and other professionals who work regularly with children to report cases of suspected abuse, but does not require them to prove the suspicions.

Shepherd has declined to comment on the case earlier. Last week, the city School Board put off a decision on reappointing him, awaiting the case's disposal.