The guidance counselor at Muffles College High School in Orange Walk Town has been criminally charged. Thirty-one-year-old Hedyn Mendez appeared in court today and was released on bail after being charged for crimes of sexual assault and encouraging child pornography. The school announced last week that Mendez was placed on administrative leave. And what police told us today is very telling. It was not until police saw the post online that they went to the school to investigate. Here is what ASP Stacy Smith told us.
ASP Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“Police have formally arrested and charged Hadyn Mendes, thirty-one years of age, a Belizean counselor, for the crimes of sexual assault and encouraging child pornography. The investigation began when officers came across a screenshot circulating on social media which suggested explicit conduct between this individual and a student. As a consequence of this, the investigators visited the institution whereby they apprised them of their discovery, and they also made contact with the parent of the child and the child and involved the human services department. A number of statements were recorded, a number of items of exhibits were retrieved, and as a consequence of that investigation, the charges, as stated, were laid. Mendez was taken to court today where he was granted bail.”
Reporter
“In a matter like this can you respond to the what would be public question in terms of how could bail be granted in a situation like that?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“That is left to the discretion of the court. It is not a matter for police officers. There are only a few offenses that magistrates do not have the discretion to grant bail. And ultimately, the consideration when it comes to the granting of bail is whether the person is likely to appear for the trial. Where that likelihood is high, the decision then leans to the granting of bail. But certainly the granting of bail is not dispositive of the court’s attitude as it relates to the case or its seriousness or lack thereof. It is just a matter of procedure.”
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