TERMINATED: Naylor teacher accused of raping student at school resigns

NAYLOR, MO (KFVS) - A teacher/assistant high school principal in Naylor accused of raping a female student at school has resigned from the district.

John F. Mullins, 52, of Gatewood, Missouri, was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Mullins was formally charged with one count of felony rape in the first degree, one count of felony sodomy in the first degree and two counts of felony sexual contact with a student.

The Naylor Board of Education voted to accept Mullins' resignation.

The district is also preparing charges to give to the State Board of Education to have Mullins' teaching certificate revoked.

Mullins appeared in court Wednesday, Oct. 28 without a lawyer. The judge asked him if he was sane enough to answer questions and he said yes.

The charges against him were not read.

His next court date is Dec. 2 at 10:30 a.m.

When approached after his court appearance for a comment, Mullins said, "No comment."

Allegations

Court documents show a young girl reported on Oct. 23, 2015 she was sexually assaulted by Mullins.

In the probable cause statement, the girl told deputies she went to a supply closet at school to get paper towels. At that time, she says Mullins touched her inappropriately without her consent.

After an exam, investigators determined the victim suffered injuries consistent with forcible rape.

Investigators interviewed Mullins on Oct. 24. According to court documents, Mullins admitted to some of the allegations, but he said he couldn't remember exactly what happened.

Mullins' bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety. He is due in court on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 9 a.m. at the Ripley County Courthouse for an arraignment.

School Statement

Mullins is listed as an assistant high school principal and a junior high/high school science teacher on the school's website.

After reports surfaced about the sexual assault, Mullins was immediately relieved of his duties as a teacher.

Mullins later submitted his resignation. The board of education voted to terminate his employment.

If any other students were harmed, the district asks they notify law enforcement and school officials immediately.

The district is also offering services if students or their parents need counseling assistance.

The Naylor School District released the following statement about the investigation.

"The District places the highest priority of maintaining a safe environment for all students. However, in spite of the efforts of the Board and District Staff, a District employee has apparently violated the most sacred trust given to him by the Board and the community. His employment has been terminated, his license to teach will be revoked, and he will be criminally charged."

Parent Reaction

Parents and students say they're surprised by the news. They say Mullins was very good at his job and cared about his students.

"He seemed like, from what I could tell, a really good teacher."

They say they're shocked to learn that one of their favorite teachers is behind bars for allegedly sexually assaulting a student.

A previous student of Mullins said he doesn't believe the accusations are true.

"I don't think he would do anything like that," he said.

The Ripley County Sheriff requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control assist with the investigation.

Anyone with information related to the investigation should contact the Ripley County Sheriff's Office at 573-996-5555 or the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control at 573-840-9500.

Download the KFVS News app: iPhone | Android

Copyright 2015 KFVS. All rights reserved.