The charges against a Muffles College guidance counselor are only part of the story. Questions are also being asked about what happened at the school before police launched their investigation. Thirty-one-year-old Hedyn Mendez, the school’s guidance counselor, has since been charged with sexual assault and encouraging child pornography following an investigation involving a seventeen-year-old student. Police have also indicated that they are examining the school administration’s response to the allegations. Today, Minister of Education Francis Fonseca stressed that the government is treating the case with the utmost seriousness, while stopping short of commenting on matters now before the court.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“The individual has been charged, so it’s a matter now [that’s] before the courts. So, I can’t comment on the specifics of that case, but obviously I think we have made it very, very clear and the Ministry of Education, I think, has been very consistent in its position that we have zero tolerance for any type of sexual abuse in our education system, of any type. So, we take these matters very seriously when they are brought to the attention of the ministry. We carry out a thorough investigation into these matters, we cooperate fully with the police, authorities. We take it very, very seriously and that is the case in this particular matter. The ministry is engaged with the school and we are providing whatever support we can to the school and the individuals involved.”
Reporter
“Was there any interference in the investigation or something?”
Francis Fonseca
“I’m not in a position to say that at this point. We don’t know, at this point so I don’t want to say that.”
The case continues to draw public attention as investigators work to determine not only the facts surrounding the allegations against Hedyn Mendez, but also whether the proper procedures were followed after concerns were first raised.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
Watch the full newscast here:
