LEXINGTON — Child endangerment charges against a Lexington High School teacher have been dropped, according to Mansfield Municipal Court records.
Courtney James Steele, a health and physical education teacher, was charged with a misdemeanor in September. He allegedly required a student to do push-ups on a hot asphalt surface.
Steele pleaded not guilty to one count of endangering children, according to court records. The charges were dropped on April 22, according to the Mansfield Municipal Court’s website.
Scott Christophel, assistant law director for the City of Norwalk, served as special prosecutor on the case. Christophel submitted a motion to dismiss on April 18. The case was dismissed without court costs.
“The State submits that the victim, after dealing with this case for nine months, has decided that there is no better day than Good Friday to show grace and forgiveness,” Christophel wrote in the motion.
“God forgives us whether we deserve it or not and the victim wishes to do the same.”
Steele’s attorney, James Mayer III, said he was confident Steele would have been found not guilty in court.
Nevertheless, Mayer said the former Lexington teacher is happy to have the case behind him. He called Steele a good man, well-regarded by students and parents in the community.
“We were prepared to go to trial and felt very confident based on the evidence and anticipated witness testimony that Jim would’ve been found not guilty by a jury,” the defense lawyer said.
“In the end, a dismissal is the same as a not guilty, nothing was proven and far as I’m concerned his good name has been cleared.”
Steele was placed on paid administrative leave on Aug. 29. Lexington Police Department responded to a call that day from a man whose 15-year-son sustained injuries during a weight-training class at the high school.
According to the police report, the boy had “redness and several visible blisters” on both palms and near both wrists “consistent with a burn injury.”
Richland Source was unsuccessful in attempts to contact Steele via his school email address.
Lexington Supt. Jeremy Secrist refused to confirm whether Steele remains employed with the district, saying he wouldn’t comment on personnel matters.
A public records request for the district’s payroll records confirmed that Steele remains on the district’s payroll.
