Principal Under Investigation for Allegations of Inappropriate Touching

TRINITY, FL – An investigation is underway into alleged inappropriate touching by the Principal at a local charter school, and the teacher who reported it says she's being retaliated against for doing her job.

According to a substitute teacher at Plato Academy, who wishes to remain anonymous at this time, three female students between the ages of 12 and 13 approached on December 19, 2024, with disturbing accusations about their Principal.

The teacher tells R News that before the students came to her, Principal Joseph Musselman entered her classroom and spoke to a student in the room. Moments later, a student approached the teacher, "trembling with tears welling up in her eyes," stating, "I have to talk to you, I have to talk to you!" The girl went on to inform the teacher that while they were next door performing at a church, Musselman "inappropriately touched" her and a few other girls.

During a class change, two other girls approached the teacher and made the same allegations against Musselman. Each time, according to the teacher, the principal would visit her classroom.

The teacher said she decided to have the three girls join her and another teacher for lunch, where she says the girls cried as they retold the story of what Musselman did to them.

Prior to the lunch, Musselman pulled a female student from the teacher's classroom and "thanked her for defending him."

The teacher tells R News that instead of reporting the allegations to the Department of Children and Families, the Assistant Principal, Ms. Klay, conducted her own investigation and determined the allegations were unfounded. The teacher believes her action was not proper protocol because educators are mandatory reporters as it relates to allegations of abuse. The teacher says she decided to contact authorities and report the student's allegations.

The teacher says after the investigation began, so did hostility by administrators and attempts to remove her from the classroom. That's when the teacher decided to contact an attorney.

During a background search of Joseph Musselman, R News discovered a recent arrest for battery in Hernando County.

According to court documents, Musselman was standing in the doorway of the Sam's Club around August 24th, 2024, when he slapped employee Jherika Schleich. Video surveillance of the incident corroborated the victim's account. However, the state decided to drop charges, citing "other legal issues." When R News inquired about the case and requested an explanation, the Clerk's Office removed all documents from public view and refused to answer questions. The victim tells R News she wanted the state to prosecute Musselman and had no intention of dropping charges.

In 2022, Musselman was at the center of controversy after Hudson Middle School attempted to demote him for poor administrative performance.

At this time, Musselman has not been removed from campus or placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Musselman did not respond to our attempts for comment.

R News will continue following any new developments.