Carmel bullying incident becomes a police investigation

LATEST: Carmel Clay Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Swensson, Carmel High School Principal John Williams and Carmel Police Chief Michael Fogarty held a news conference Wednesday morning to address the an alleged assault and bullying case that occurred on a school bus following a Carmel High School basketball game.

However, virtually no new information about the case was released during the news conference. Dr. Swensson stated several times that privacy laws prevented them from going into greater detail as to the circumstances and individuals involved in the incident. He would only discuss the process the school had followed in dealing with the situation and their communications with the Carmel Police Department.

When asked about the existence of a video recording that could corroborate the allegations, Swensson said "I have not seen any video whatsoever. We have not looked at anything. We gave it to the police department."

Police Chief Fogarty also refused to answer any questions about the video, citing the fact that it was an ongoing investigation.

Principal Williams faced a number of questions, including allegations he has told students and parents to not talk to the media about the case. Williams denied making such statements.

Williams concluded the press conference by stating that he would be meeting with parents of the basketball team on Wednesday night and that a statement would be made to the student body of Carmel High School.

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One teacher was brave enough to say what the secrecy of the bullying at Carmel High Schoo has done to the student body.

"It's creating an atmosphere of mistrust between the student body and the administration. Because it has been passed through the rumor mill so much nobody really knows what the reality is," said one Carmel teacher who asked not to be identified.

The reality is two freshmen on the Carmel High School basketball team were bullied. Students for days have told Fox59 that the abuse was sexual.

"It's something… you sense a real sense of disgust among the students," added the teacher.

When asked if he thought the students at Carmel High School were scared, he responded "I don't think they have a fear of harm, but there is a distrust."

In this case neither student came forward. A Carmel parent overheard rumors in the hallway.

"This only came to light through back channels and when it did -- if the rumors are anything close to true – [the two students] don't feel like they will be represented and protected," explained the teacher.

Fox59 tried to get to the bottom of the situation, filing a request for public information regarding details of criminal confinement, battery and deviate conduct listed in an initial police report. The Carmel Police Department refused to release more.

The Carmel city attorney responded with this letter back to Fox59 that confirmed that "the alleged victim is a juvenile student and the alleged perpetrators are also students."

Fox59 has not named the three senior players because, at this time, they do not face criminal charges. One of the fathers is a lawyer, who is reportedly working the case.

"It's showing the possibility that these things just aren't being addressed," continued the Carmel High School teacher. "And its going to matter more about your position in the school than the reality of the abuse or allegation of the abuse."

The alleged incident happened on what was supposed to be a freshman-only school bus. It is unclear why the seniors go on this bus, with four coaches on board at the time.