June 24, 2008
- (Rutland Herald)
- "Possible
charges weighed for cop" -
(Return
to News)
Article published Jun 24,
2008
Possible charges weighed for cop
By
Susan Smallheer Herald Staff
BRATTLEBORO — The Vermont State Police have completed their
investigation into allegations that Capt. Heidi Nelson of the Windham
County Sheriff's Department had an improper relationship with a
17-year-old student at Brattleboro Union High School.
Nelson, 42, of Westminster, the school's resource police officer and a
former Vermont State Police trooper, was suspended with pay in early
April by Sheriff Keith Clark after school officials received information
about a possible relationship.
Windham County State's Attorney Tracy Kelly Shriver said Monday she had
received a report from a Vermont State Police investigator from the
northern part of the state into Nelson's case. But Shriver said she was
waiting for additional information, and that she expected to make a
decision on the case by the end of the week.
"I am still waiting for some follow up," Ingrid Jonas of Vermont State
Police said regarding information she had requested from the
investigator.
"I hope to make a decision whether to charge and what to charge, by
Friday," Jonas said.
Shriver refused to say what possible criminal charges Nelson could face.
While 16 is the age of consent in Vermont, there are state laws that
prohibit some kinds of relationships between teachers and students.
Nelson taught at the Windham Regional Career Center, which is attached
to Brattleboro Union High School. She has taught at the high school for
the last four years.
Nelson served for 17 years with the Vermont State Police before retiring
to run her own gymnasium in downtown Bellows Falls. About four years
ago, she joined the Windham County Sheriff's Department as a sergeant,
under former Sheriff Sheila Prue. Prue herself was forced to resign in
disgrace after a criminal investigation revealed she had misappropriated
department funds for her own uses.
Clark, who was elected in 2006, promoted Nelson to be his second in
command immediately after he took office in February 2007. Nelson's
duties were split between her work at the high school and administrative
duties in the department, which is based in Newfane.
In addition to the criminal investigation, Clark and Ron Stahley,
superintendent of schools in Brattleboro, were conducting their own
separate investigations into the incident.
Stahley reported the allegations to Clark after it was brought to school
officials' attention.
Contact Susan Smallheer at
susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com |
