Police have reportedly arrested a career guidance counselor in North Carolina on suspicion of having sex with a 14-year-old boy.
Jessica Patrick Finley, a career guidance counselor at McDowell County High School, is accused of performing sexual acts on students multiple times in the school’s office, according to a search warrant. WLOS report.
A newly issued warrant reveals disturbing allegations against a North Carolina guidance counselor charged with sex crimes involving minors.https://t.co/5opZNF3Mc1
— CBS 21 News (@CBS21NEWS) March 22, 2024
Finley and the minor victim exchanged various text messages, including one in which Finley said she was leaving her husband and children to “be with” the victim instead, the warrant states. is stated. The newspaper said she believed the girl was dating Finley.
Stormy Green, a McDowell County High School graduate, said she was “disgusted” when she learned of the sexual accusations against Finley and said it was “weird” that a career guidance counselor would “leave her family for a minor.” Ta. Green, who moved in with Finley after his parents lost custody on drug charges, said Finley eventually became combative and would have outbursts with her anger. However, Green denied that Finley had sexual relations with her. (Related: Police charge man who posed as a student to commit sex crimes against teenage girls)
“I knew she was close to the students, in a weird way,” Green told the magazine. “She was always the person I went to when something wasn’t going right at home.”
McDowell County Schools released a statement Thursday regarding Finley’s arrest, according to WLOS.
“On February 28, 2024, McDowell County Schools became aware of an inappropriate relationship between Jessica Finley and a minor child. McDowell High School administration immediately turned the information over to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office. An extensive investigation involving the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation culminated in his arrest later that night. Mr. Finley, a guidance counselor and volleyball coach at McDowell High School, has resigned from his position effective immediately.” It is written in
“McDowell County Schools has fully cooperated with all law enforcement authorities since the beginning of this investigation, and we intend to continue to do so.During this difficult time, we are committed to supporting the SBI and the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.” We deeply appreciate the professionalism of Mr.
“Allegations of gross breach of trust by staff have devastated our school system. We strive to keep our students safe in all cases, but when such acts of brutality occur, we “We are left with unanswered questions and tremendous healing. We thank our partners at the Sheriff’s Office and SBI for taking such swift action,” the statement read.
“We encourage you to pause to recognize that children are involved, which means you need to show compassion, kindness and reservation in your statements,” the school said. concluded.
Finley resigned from his position at the school in late February and remains in jail on $600,000 bail, the newspaper said. Authorities have said Finley may face additional charges and the investigation is ongoing.
