News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Family Says Principal Has History of Exposing Children to Danger
Naomi Mandrell is the principal at Word of Life Academy in Dibble and is accused of turning a blind eye to sexual assault at her school.
Mandrell's uncle, Ronald Schofield, said he and family members are not surprised by the allegations and that Mandrell has a history of exposing children to dangerous people.
Two former Word of Life Academy student accused Dale Elledge of committing acts of sexual battery between 2005 and 2008. Police are still searching for him.By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9
DIBBLE, Oklahoma -- The family of a principal accused of turning a blind eye to sexual assault at her school said she has a history of exposing children to dangerous people.
Namoi Mandrell is a longtime principal of the Word of Life Academy in McClain County. Her husband Bill is the pastor at the school.
Recently Mandrell was named in a civil lawsuit that accuses her of turning a blind eye when several students told her that Dale Elledge, a volunteer teacher, had sexually assaulted them a few years ago.
The lawsuit states that even after the allegations surfaced, Mandrell allowed Elledge to be locked in the school with the alleged victims.
Mandrell's uncle, Ronald Schofield, said none of the allegations are surprising to him or other family members.
Schofield said that a few years ago, Mandrell allowed her half-brother, a man convicted of attempted sexual battery, to move in with her and her foster children.
Later in May 2004 the Mandrell's home burned to the ground. Family members said the mysterious fire engulfed the house just hours before a DHS worker was to visit and investigate claims that foster children in the home were being exposed to pornography.
Schofield and other members of his family said they hope by coming forward and speaking out that it'll put a stop to the cycle of alleged abuse that is apparently accepted by those who have been put in charge of caring for so many children for so many years.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed it is investigating the case of Dale Elledge and the students who said they were molested. Currently, authorities are still searching for Elledge.
NEWS 9 tried to contact the Dibble Police Department to see if they have investigated any of the claims. Several sources said the police chief of Dibble is related to the Mandrells. He has yet to return any calls.
NEWS 9 is also being told that since first reporting this story Tuesday, families are already pulling their children out of the school.
Efforts to contact Naomi and Bill Mandrell were unsuccessful.
A hearing for the civil lawsuit is set for Friday in McClain County courts. The plaintiffs are asking the judge to seal the suit from public viewing.
More on News9.com: Police Search for School Volunteer Accused of Molestation
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