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Ex-Camp Director Pleads Not Guilty

By Scott Sarvay
By Eric Clabaugh
June 18, 2010 Updated May 26, 2009 at 4:45 PM EST COLUMBIA CITY, Ind (Indiana's NewsCenter)-Thirty eight year old Tara Brandon is formally charged Tuesday night, with 16-counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and 17 counts of child seduction. She pleaded not guilty to the charges in a Whitley County Courtroom Tuesday morning. According to a police report, Brandon had a sexual relationship with a minor who was a camp counselor at "Camp Whitley" that started before the minor was 16 and ended before he was 18. Brandon is also a teacher at Whitko High School, teaching biology for the last six years. Our partner in news, The Journal Gazette reports Brandon has been removed from her position as the director of "Camp Whitley." Whitko school officials confirmed she has been on "unpaid leave" since April 20th, when the district learned of the allegations. Superintendent Steve Clason says "Whenever any accusations come up like this we want to make sure that we take care of the kids. Our investigation shows that no improper activity has taken place with any Whitko kids or on Whitko premises at all." "Camp Whitley" board members haven't returned our calls but residents who live on "Troy Cedar Lake" where the camp is located say it's a great camp where officials take every precaution to protect the children including separating boys and girls during different camp weeks. Tara Brandon will appear in court again on June 22nd.
(© Copyright 2009 Indiana's NewsCenter. All Rights Reserved.)

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