ARLINGTON, TX – Two North Texas educators and the principal of their school have been arrested concerning an ongoing investigation into child grooming and an improper relationship between a student and an educator, police have stated.
Newman International Academy (NIA) Police Department reported that on February 6, information led to the immediate firing of NIA High School educators Ruel Barbee and Gabrielle Little. The campus is located at 1111 Gibbins Rd. in Arlington and serves students in grades 7-12.
NIA PD obtained an arrest warrant for an improper relationship between an educator and a student for Barbee on the same day. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail.
A senior pastor at Oasis Community Church, who also teaches at NIA, was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
Details of the Allegations Against the Educators
According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by WFAA, Barbee and the alleged victim, a current senior, began talking in May 2024, but nothing physical occurred at that time. The affidavit states that they began speaking again in September 2024, and Barbee allegedly said he would obtain her phone number after graduation.
The victim told investigators that Barbee began “gazing” at her during the first semester, and they began having inappropriate contact, including touching and kissing, until December.
A warrant was also issued for Little, who turned herself in at the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office on February 10 on a charge of child grooming. She is no longer in custody, according to jail records.
Principal Accused of Tampering with Evidence
NIA PD announced the arrest of the campus principal, Rick Adams, on February 12. Police obtained witness statements and evidence that gave them probable cause for the arrest. Adams was booked into the Tarrant County Jail on three counts of tampering with evidence, one count of tampering with a witness, and one count of failure to report abuse. The tampering charges are third-degree felonies.
An arrest warrant affidavit obtained by WFAA states that Adams is accused of destroying “electronic communication from his school email accounts” containing “critical evidence” in the case. The affidavit also states that Adams is believed to have had “personal knowledge of two separate improper relationships between student and educator offenses” at the campus. Further, Adams allegedly allowed one of the suspect’s wives to retrieve all personal property of the suspect from the school while the investigation was underway.
Additionally, Adams failed to report the allegation of possible sexual contact between an educator and a student within 48 hours, as required by law, according to the affidavit. Two 7th-grade students reported witnessing concerning behavior to campus police, which helped start the investigation.
Prior Incidents Uncovered
NIA PD discovered that two of the educators involved in this case had previous “incidents of inappropriate contact with students” at prior jobs. These incidents were possibly mishandled or not reported.
NIA PD stated that “Had [the incidents] been properly documented and disclosed, these individuals would not have been hired at Newman International Academy.”
The NIA PD is now actively investigating administrators from a public ISD, a charter school, and two private schools for mishandling these incidents.
School Officials Respond
The school district placed Adams, the campus’ athletic director, the head varsity girls’ basketball coach, and an assistant football coach on paid administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing. Donna Hart, the district’s assistant superintendent over secondary schools, announced at a press conference on February 13 that Adams’ employment was terminated despite his resignation amid the investigation.
NIA PD Chief Matthew Antkowiak shared updates on the investigation at the press conference and vowed to bring those involved to justice. He stated, “I want to be clear — the safety and wellbeing of our students and students from other schools is my personal, highest priority. As a victim myself of a child sexual crime, I’m not playing. Other educators at other school districts and at churches that failed to take appropriate action and pass the trash will be held accountable.”
Police Chief Shares Personal Connection to the Case
Chief Antkowiak shared with WFAA that he was a victim of child sexual assault at age 11. He stated that his personal experience motivates him to help others and fight to bring those responsible to justice. The department will continue to investigate all leads and potential victims related to the suspects.
“This investigation is not limited to incidences on our campuses,” Antkowiak stated. “We are currently looking into potential victims at other campuses both here and in other states across the country…These educational institutions and churches that have come on our radar will be served with search warrants soon.”
Antkowiak criticized schools and churches, saying they have failed kids and parents time and time again. He also said, “The playbook in schools in America is not working. The playbook in churches is not working. We must do better.”
Parents attended a briefing on February 12. Vernedith Edwards, a parent, expressed her hope for justice for the alleged victims and stated, “Zero tolerance for any kind of student and teacher relationships. If you see something, say something.”
Superintendent Promises Action
NIA’s Superintendent Dr. Sheba George released a statement: “We will root out any exploitation or abuse of our students…At Newman International Academy, we will do what is right. We will fight for the justice of victims. We will not tolerate abuse or any action that attempts to cover up or hide it.”
Navigating Legal Options: Attorney Discusses Abuse by School Staff
The recent arrests at a North Texas school have raised difficult questions about the legal rights of students who have experienced sexual abuse by educators. To help families understand their choices, we spoke with Anjali Nigam, an experienced Texas attorney specializing in representing survivors of sexual assault. She offers guidance on potential legal avenues and what steps individuals can take.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: Anjali, thank you for your time. What legal options are available for a student who has been sexually assaulted by a school educator in Texas?
Anjali Nigam, Esq.: Thanks for having me, Laurence. A student in this situation has several potential legal paths. The first, and perhaps most direct, is a civil lawsuit against the educator themselves. This would aim to recover monetary compensation for the harm suffered, including emotional distress, therapy costs, and other damages.
Banville: Are there other parties that could also be held responsible?
Nigam: Absolutely. Depending on the circumstances, there may be grounds to sue the school district or the charter school organization. This would hinge on demonstrating that the school was negligent in some way – perhaps they failed to properly screen or supervise the educator, or that they ignored warning signs. There might even be a case against specific administrators if they knew or should have known about the abuse and did nothing to stop it.
Banville: What about the time frame for taking legal action?
Nigam: It is very important to be aware of the statute of limitations. In Texas, there are specific time limits for filing lawsuits, and these can vary depending on the type of claim. It is vital to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to understand the deadlines that apply to a specific situation.
Banville: This all sounds complex. What is your advice for someone who believes they might have a case?
Nigam: My strongest recommendation is to consult with an attorney experienced in handling sexual assault cases. They can assess the specific facts, explain the legal options in detail, and help the survivor decide on the best course of action. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations. It’s also important to remember that healing is a process, and there are resources available to support survivors throughout the legal process.
Your Voice Matters: Contact Us Today
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse involving a school employee, you are not alone. Understanding your legal options is a vital first step. We encourage you to reach out for a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and learn how we can help. There is no charge for the initial consultation.
Source
Mr. Banville is a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling auto accidents, work injuries, medical malpractice, dog bites, slip and falls, and representing survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Mr. Banville is affiliated with law firms in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, D.C., and Maryland. Abuse Guardian
