Cara Dickey is married, the mother of 3 children, and a well respected social studies teacher at South Buffalo Charter School. She was the last person school administrator Dr. Cederick Ellis thought would be facing allegations of having an in appropriate relationship with an 8th grade boy. "At that point, however, Mrs. Dickey was an employee in good standing. She was highly regarded and very popular among our students and her peers." said Ellis.
He says Dickey was the boys mentor. A few weeks ago two teachers came forward with concerns about the relationship and Dickey was given a warning. "She was told in the strongest terms that she must change her behavior and be above suspicion with regard to this student. She was told directly to have no further contact with him." said Ellis.
But on Monday the two were allegedly caught texting each other with their cell phones. The school confiscated the boys phone and notified his father. "The contents of those messages have been turned over to the police by the student's father. They represent inappropriate expressions of affection between an adult teacher and a middle-school student." said Ellis.
Dickey was escorted off campus at 10:45 AM. A few hours later the boy left school without permission and the two vanished for 24 hours. The boy was found at the Mckinley Mall safe and unharmed. Dickey was found in her car in Springville. For now, no-one is saying the 2 were together over night. "We worked closely with the student's parents and family last night into the wee hours. He has other siblings at our school and we are relieved they they've all been reunited. We have been in frequent contact with the teachers family as well."
A letter was sent home to parents outlining what happened. Many said they were just relieved that the ordeal was over. "I hope you know she gets help if she needs help and I hope he can get passed this as a child." said Melie Fleming.
Buffalo Police released a statement saying the sex offense squad is investigating, but so far there is no word on any charges. Cara Dickey was questioned by police and released.
