Police Search for School Volunteer Accused of Molestation

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

DIBBLE, Oklahoma -- Oklahoma authorities are searching for a former school volunteer accused of molesting at least four female students.

Dale Elledge is named in a civil lawsuit filed by two of the alleged victims and their families.

The two former students accused Elledge of committing acts of sexual battery on them multiple times from 2005 to 2008. The alleged victims also stated in the lawsuit that Elledge threatened to kill them and members of the families if they told anyone.

"We opened the case in August," said Jessica Brown, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. "Two women said he molested them and since then, we've had two more women come forward claiming the same."

Elledge, who worked at the Word of Life Ministries & Academy in Dibble, hasn't been arrested or charged because authorities can't find him.

"Last we heard he moved to Texas," said a law enforcement officer in McClain County who didn't want to be identified.

The civil suit filed also named the school and its principal, Naomi Mandrell.

The former students accused Mandrell of failing to take curative action when the alleged acts of molestation where brought to her attention.

The suit stated Principal Mandrell allowed a going away and retirement party for Elledge knowing full well of what he was accused of doing.

Efforts to contact Principal Mandrell were unsuccessful.

Residents in Dibble said the allegations were a big surprise because the Mandrell family is known for caring for and fostering children of all ages.