An elementary school principal in Texas has been accused of helping a teacher with a serious history of child abuse accusations conceal his past and obtain a special education teaching position, putting vulnerable children at risk. The allegations represent what prosecutors describe as a profound violation of trust, involving deliberate circumvention of hiring safeguards designed to prevent educators with misconduct records from working in classrooms.

The case centres on former Crosby Elementary School principal Wendy Bailey and teacher Michael Raymond Roell, who changed his name to Johnathan Michael before applying to Forney Independent School District near Dallas. Roell had previously been arrested in 2016 for indecency with a child whilst employed by Garland ISD, was accused of inappropriate touching, and had been placed on leave multiple times at other districts for abuse-related allegations. Prosecutors allege Bailey coached Roell on how to use his name change to evade background checks and helped him submit an application omitting his criminal charges and disciplinary history. Both were indicted on conspiracy and wire fraud charges; Roell secured a position earning approximately $67,700 annually as a special education teacher.