St. Helens High principal Katy Wagner charged with assault

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — St. Helens High School principal Katy Wagner has been indicted by a Columbia County grand jury on felony assault charges. She accuses her of failing to protect students from two teachers arrested for sexually abusing students.

According to a court document filed Tuesday, the grand jury indicted Wagner on two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree official misconduct, felonies, and two counts of second-degree official misconduct, also felonies .

The allegations in the court document against Wagner stem from the fact that choir teacher, 46-year-old Eric Stearns, and former teacher, 64-year-old Mark Collins, were arrested two weeks ago and charged with sexually assaulting students. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Wagner and the superintendent were placed on administrative leave on Friday, November 15.

According to Tuesday’s court documents, Wagner is accused of knowingly denying necessary and adequate physical care to high school students and failing to report child abuse.