Pawnee County charges sexual abuse by school employee
PAWNEE CITY - Former para-educator Kandice B. Johnson, 35, is charged in Pawnee County with three felonies alleging sexual assault and misconduct by a school employee.
Court documents were sealed Wednesday, but a 10/11 news reports says Johnson is accused of a pattern or scheme of conduct with intent to subject a student to sexual contact between Feb. 1 and March 14.
In a statement to parents, the school says the reports allege off campus communications and interactions.
Johnson is charged with first degree sexual assault of a child and child abuse for crimes she allegedly committed against a second child.
Pawnee County prosecutor Emily Sisco also filed a charge based on Nebraska law that prohibits placing a child in a situation to be sexually exploited or abused.
Arraignment in county court is scheduled April 6.
Her attorney James Nelson of Beatrice had no comment about the case.
Following her arrest, Johnson was fired from her job at Pawnee City Public Schools.
The school district posted the following message to students and parents on its website.
“Over the last several days, Pawnee City Public School District received reports of off-campus, inappropriate communications and interactions between a non-certified staff member and minor students.
The school district immediately reported this matter to local law enforcement and collaborated to investigate these reports. An arrest was subsequently made in this matter and the school district took immediate action to end its employment relationship with the involved staff member.”