ST. HELENS, Ore. — St. Helens High School Principal Dr. Katy Wagner turned herself in to Columbia County Sheriff's Office deputies Wednesday morning, St. Helens police said, a day after she was indicted on criminal charges and a warrant was issued.
She has been charged with two counts of criminal mistreatment and four counts of official misconduct stemming from an ongoing sex abuse scandal involving multiple teachers at the high school, according to an indictment filed Tuesday in Columbia County Circuit Court. Wagner was lodged at the Columbia County Jail, St. Helens police said.
Wagner was previously placed on administrative leave by the St. Helens School District board and was confirmed to be the subject of an investigation by the Oregon Department of Human Services, but an indictment marks the first time she has faced criminal charges in the scandal.
Appearing for an arraignment in court Wednesday afternoon, Wagner pleaded not guilty to the charges. She posted bail and was granted supervised release on several conditions: She must not contact the two St. Helens teachers charged with sex abuse or any of their alleged victims, and she cannot work in an educational setting or any position that requires mandatory reporting.
The St. Helens School District said in a statement to KGW on Wednesday that it has launched an independent, third-party investigation to "thoroughly and impartially determine what occurred and why." The school district said it expects the final report will be complete 45-60 days after the investigation starts, and findings and recommendations will be shared with the public. The school district also said it's "moving quickly" to appoint an acting principal who will remain in place "until the legal process concludes."
"This is a difficult day for St. Helens High School, and our thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted during this incredibly challenging time," the St. Helens School District said in a statement.
The scandal broke out two weeks ago when current St. Helens High School teacher Eric Stearns and retired teacher Mark Collins were both arrested following a months-long police investigation and charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse, sparking outrage among students and parents, many of whom accused Wagner and other district leaders of ignoring or suppressing reports of sexual abuse for years.
The two criminal mistreatment charges in the Wagner indictment specifically name Stearns and Collins, asserting that Wagner "did unlawfully and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate physical care from the students of St. Helens High School" in regard to the two teachers from Nov. 2018 to Nov. 2024.
Nicole Burch, a parent whose daughter attends St. Helens High School, said told KGW that her daughter had a couple classes with Stearns, and some of his behavior initially made her uncomfortable.
“She would come home saying he was kind of like a father figure, that he would hug her a lot — prolonged hugs — he would ask her for hugs constantly, talk to her about personal stuff that maybe a teacher shouldn’t talk to a student about," said Burch.
She said her daughter reported the behavior to Wagner this year, but nothing was done.
“She just said that Wagner literally said absolutely nothing, didn’t even say a word, and then just kind of said 'Get to class,'" Burch recalled.
Burch said she wants Wagner to face time.
The four misconduct charges are less specific, accusing Wagner of failing to comply with mandatory child abuse reporting requirements under state law and having "consciously disregarded the fact that the violation created a risk of the commission of a sex crime against a vulnerable person."
Two of the misconduct charges are first-degree, which is a Class A misdemeanor, and two of them are second-degree, a class C misdemeanor. The two criminal mistreatment charges are Class C felonies.
Sarah Young, another parent whose son attends the high school, was in the courtroom during the arraignment. She said Wagner allegedly doing nothing to protect students at the school makes the situation even worse.
“I know that when you grow up, your anger isn’t as much toward the people who hurt you as it is toward the people who knew and didn’t do anything to help," she said. “My hope is that she goes to prison for her crimes, that she goes to prison for what she knew and didn’t stop."
KGW reached out to Wagner's residence on Tuesday, and they refused to comment. KGW also asked Wagner's attorney if he would be able to provide comment, but he declined.
Investigators are looking for additional information about Wagner and are concerned about whether mandatory reports have not been completed. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact detectives Edwards and Smith at 503-397-1521.
Wagner's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 9 a.m.