Scott teacher accused of molesting child cited at YMCA in 2012

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Scott Elementary teacher who was accused of child molestation was cited in 2012 during his part-time work at the YMCA for having a child sit on his lap.

Justin Wolf's action violated the YMCA’s “established practices and training regarding maintaining appropriate boundaries,” said Derrick Stewart, YMCA Chief Executive Officer.

Stewart wrote in an email that the situation was investigated, which included interviewing the child's mother. He said there was “no indication or evidence of sexual abuse.”

“He was reprimanded, reassigned, required to retake our mandatory child safety training and informed that a future violation would be grounds for termination,” Stewart said. “We have not received a complaint against him since 2012.”

The child and the child’s family continue to be Y members, Stewart said.

More:Safe vs. unsafe secrets: How to talk to kids about sexual abuse

More:Arrest of Scott Elementary teacher: What we know so far

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Wolf, 25, was arrested Friday on charges of molesting a student on three separate occasions. He is a third-grade teacher at Scott.

Wolf initially denied the allegations, according to a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office probable cause affidavit, but eventually “apologized for his actions and gave a detailed statement.”

Wolf was immediately suspended without pay by the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. and is banned from all EVSC premises, according to a statement from district spokesman Jason Woebkenberg.

The Courier & Press spoke with Wolf in March 2016, when he was a student teacher in a first-grade classroom at Caze. Woebkenberg said in a statement that officials were not aware of any issues during his time at Caze.

When asked by the Courier & Press, Woebkenberg said via text that the citation did not appear on the background check the school district completed before Wolf was hired.

Wolf was also suspended indefinitely as a part-time employee at the Downtown YMCA and banned from the facilities.

He was hired at the Downtown YMCA in September 2011. During his time there, Stewart said the majority of his roles were within wellness and membership, and he worked in the summer day camp for one summer.

As of Monday afternoon, the YMCA was still not part of the sheriff's office investigation into Wolf. Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding said detectives made the Evansville Police Department aware Wolf was employed at the YMCA, which is located within city limits. So if allegations come forward, Wolf's name would be on their radar. Wedding said the two agencies could simultaneously investigate if accusations are made.

For now, Wedding said the sheriff’s office is focusing on “where the allegations actually occurred.”

Resources

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call:

The state Child Abuse and Neglect hotline at 1-800-800-5556.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office at 812-421-6201.

Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7896.

Holly’s House can answer questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 812-437-7233.

Albion Fellows Bacon Center offers a 24-hour hotline for sexual assault victims and their loved ones at 812-424-7273.

Lampion Center at 812-471-1776.