MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A school in Orange Mound is keeping tight-lipped about a sexual assault investigation that is underway.
Investigators are looking to the incident that reportedly happened at Aspire Public Schools’ Hanley Middle School.
WREG got word of it over the weekend, just days after WREG reported on a sexual assault investigation at Grandview Heights Middle School within Shelby County Schools.
Many Hanley parents, like Tomorrow Bonds and Cameron Mitchell, were hoping for answers Monday.
“I just went in there and said something to them about that. Why are we hearing about that on the news?” Bonds asked.
They still do not know exactly what happened.
They said the school claimed it sent out a robo-call to let parents know about the investigation.
Bonds said the school has a current number for her, but she still did not hear anything.
“As far as things that are happening at the school, they’re trying to keep it hid. Don’t hide anything from me, because my child goes here,” she said.
Aspire Memphis released the following statement over the weekend:
“The Memphis Police Department (MPD) and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (TDCS) are investigating an incident involving two students at Hanley Middle School. MPD and the TDCS are reviewing the allegations, and we are fully cooperating with them. Since this action is related to an ongoing police investigation, the confidentiality of all individuals is paramount and we cannot discuss the allegations. Please be assured that at Hanley, we take the well-being and safety of our students seriously. Having a safe and nurturing environment for our students to learn is our number one priority.”
A spokesperson for Aspire said Hanley administrators learned about the incident Wednesday and sent a robo-call Thursday and Saturday.
Aspire was hired to turn around Hanley Middle School for the state’s Achievement School District.
WREG learned it is Aspire’s policy to contact DCS every time alleged incidents like this occur, but they wouldn’t release any other information about the investigation.
“It’s always a good thing to actually know exactly what’s going on especially when it’s dealing with your child at school,” said Hanley parent Andrea Tidwell.
WREG reached out to Memphis Police, who confirmed the incident at Hanley as well as another one at Grandview Heights Middle School were sexual assaults.
Both investigations are active and ongoing.
SCS has not released details about the incident at Grandview Heights but said parents received a phone call Thursday evening. SCS said its principals also call DCS after incidents like this occur.
