Oregon school principal charged with felonies amid allegations she covered up child sex abuse scandal

Wagner, the principal of St. Helens High School, was indicted Tuesday by a Columbia County grand jury on two counts of felony first-degree criminal mistreatment, two counts of first-degree official misconduct, and two counts of second-degree official misconduct, court documents show. She has been accused of failing to disclose child sex abuse allegations and intentionally withholding essential and adequate physical care from the minor student victims, detectives with the St. Helens Police Department said following a lengthy investigation.

The school district placed Wagner on administrative leave on Nov. 15, along with district superintendent Scott Stickwell. The principal's arrest follows a two-month probe into a history of minor sex abuse complaints at St. Helens High School. Under Oregon's mandatory reporter law, public officials and civil servants are required to report minor sex abuse allegations to law enforcement, which Wagner reportedly refused to do.

Kathryn Marie Wagner was booked into Columbia County Jail on Nov. 27, records show

On November 12, St. Helens police detectives apprehended Eric Stearns, 46, and Mark Collins, 64, on child sex abuse charges. Stearns is a current teacher at St. Helens High School, while Collins is retired. The two stand accused of sexually abusing students at the school while Wagner served as the interim principal.

The district was subpoenaed by Acting Police Chief Joseph Hogue of the St. Helens Police Department for records related to Collins and Stearns. The records indicated that the district failed to disclose numerous reports of inappropriately touching students over the years. Students have condemned the school board for maintaining silence regarding allegations of maltreatment for an extended period of time.

Additional information regarding Kathryn Wagner is being sought by investigators. Mandatory reports that may not have been finalized are of particular concern, authorities said. Anyone who may have further information on the matter is urged to contact St. Helens Detectives Smith and Edwards by calling 503.397.1521.