OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The former principal who didn’t report what he knew about a teacher sexually assaulting students is punished for his crime.
Eric Nelson, 49, is sentenced to 2 weeks in jail and 1 year probation. In February he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor “Failure to Report Suspected Abuse.” One count of felony child abuse was dropped.
Nelson was the principal at Fontenelle Elementary while former first grade teacher Gregory Sedlacek sexually assaulted female students inside the classroom and on the playground. Sedlacek is now serving 50-100 years in prison for sexual assault.
He was shown two photos and a video of what happened, and didn’t report it.
“He told that assistant principal he was doing his own investigation, he told that assistant principal this was a man’s career at stake. Nowhere in any of those words is he acting as someone who’s charged with the protection and safety of a school full of children,” said Molly Keane with the Douglas County Attorney’s Office. “He is being charged because he took no action, and because of the way he reacted, and when he was confronted about those two things. He lied. He lied to H.R., he lied to OPD.”
Nelson didn’t say anything in court. He will get credit for 3 days served, and will start his sentence on April 28.
