A Warsaw Community Schools teacher is under arrest, accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old former student.
On Tuesday night police went to the home of Tyler Baatz, 26, to investigate. Baatz is a language teacher at Edgewood Middle School and the girls' basketball coach.
An investigation into possible sexual activity between a teacher and student had been underway, started by the school resource officer. Police say Baatz admitted to "inappropriate sexual activity" in the past three weeks with the female teen. The 14-year-old was a student of Baatz' last school year.
Baatz is currently being held without bond in the Kosciusko County Jail.
Wednesday the School System and local community reacted to the news. Most can't believe this has happened in the small, friendly town. "He was pretty nice. He helped me with my homework from time to time when I needed it." That's what Thomas McDowell had to say about a former teacher of his, Mr. Baatz. But 26 year old Tyler Baatz isn't helping students with homework now, he's under arrest. "I never thought he'd do anything bad," said McDowell.
Even those who never had Mr. Baatz as a teacher are in disbelief. Ashley Tillberry said, "I see movies all the time with that kind of stuff but you never really think that kind of stuff's gonna happen around here." Melanie Scott said, "That's sick that just disgusts me."
And it's not just former Warsaw students who can't believe what's happened. Other local residents of all ages are also in disbelief. "You think your educators are the one's that are gonna protect your children but then they turn and do something like this it's kind of a shock," said Gary Hurd.
Wednesday afternoon the Superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, Craig Hintz, addressed the scandal. He said Baatz had been with the School System for three years, as an 8th grade language arts teacher and a 7th grade girls basketball coach. "We have a young teacher that's made a terrible mistake and certainly he is not at school and we're gonna let the process play out and then we'll take our next steps," said Hintz.
Hintz said Baatz has been suspended and will remain on suspension until the matter is resolved. A letter was sent home with students Wednesday to let them and their parents know what has happened. The Superintendent said they are also ready to respond to any questions or concerns parents or just others in the community may have.
Tyler Baatz (photo courtesy Kosciusko Co. Sheriff's Dept.)
