FAYETTEVILLE — A 36-year-old Elkins teacher fired last month was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Fayetteville police and accused of sexual assault in a case involving a female Elkins High School student.
Police arrested David Waldon Paschal of 4405 E. Huntsville Road in Fayetteville in connection with four counts of second-degree sexual assault.
The Elkins School Board on May 19 fired Paschal, but administrators would not disclose details beyond saying his dismissal involved "innappropriate behavior with a student." He had been suspended since May 5, the day the female student made allegations against him.
According to a police report released Thursday, the 18-year-old student told police she had been having an ongoing sexual relationship with Paschal since December 2009. Paschal initially approached her about babysitting his children in October 2009 and the sexual relationship began after she began babysitting, she told officers. It had continued until sometime in April of this year, the police report said.
"The girl said Paschal told her not to tell anyone about their relationship and had told her things that made her fear for her safety," the police report states. "She said she was afraid that Paschal might hurt her and desired an order of protection."
According to the report, Paschal initially denied any sexual relationship, and acknowledge that he knew state law made it a criminal act for a teacher and a student younger than 21 to engage in sexual contact. He did acknowledge having a close emotional relationship with the girl and to desiring he sexually, the report states. Later, he said he and the girl did have a sexual relationship.
Police confiscated his cell phone and computer. The girl said they had exchanged provocative pictures and messages through text messages and Facebook. According to the report, Paschal told police they would likely find sexually provocative texts between him and another Elkins High School student. He also told police he had hired a third high school student to babysit his children and that he had "considered crossing the line" with her, but denied a sexual relationship with her or any other student.
Police said Paschal's arrest was delayed pending forensic examination of his computer and cell phone.