Education Minister Weighs In on Muffles College Sexual Misconduct Case

Education Minister Francis Fonseca has also commented on the sexual misconduct case involving a counsellor at Muffles College in Orange Walk. The thirty-one-year-old counsellor appeared in court on Monday, charged with sexual assault and encouraging child pornography, and was granted bail. The allegations involve a seventeen-year-old female student.   Fonseca was asked about the case and the school’s handling of the allegations.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “The individual has been charged so it’s matter now before the courts so I can’t comment on the specifics of that case, but obviously I think we have made it very, very clear and the Ministry of Education, I think, has been very consistent in its position that we have zero tolerance for any type of sexual abuse in our education system of any type. So we take these matters very, very, very seriously. When they are brought to the attention of the ministry, we carry out a thorough investigation into these matters. We cooperate fully with the police, authorities. So we take it very, very seriously and that is the case in this particular matter. The ministry is engaged with the school and we are providing whatever support we can to the school and the individuals involved. And as I said, it’s obviously a legal matter at this point.”

Reporter: Was there any interference at all in the investigation or something? 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Yeah, I’m not in a position to say that at this point. We don’t know at this point. So I don’t want us to say that. But what I can say, as I said, is the ministry treats these matters with absolute importance and we are making sure that there is a full investigation into the matter, separate and apart from the legal process, we have to ensure that our students, our teachers, our school environment is protected. School should always be a safe space for our students, a safe space for our teachers. So we treat these matters with absolute seriousness.” 

Muffles College says its administration received the allegation on October 6 and placed the staff member on administrative leave while an investigation proceeds. In a statement issued last week, the school described the allegation as extremely serious and pledged to cooperate with police and social services. According to police, their investigation began after officers came across a screenshot circulating on social media suggesting sexually explicit interactions between the counsellor and a student. Investigators then visited the school, contacted the student and her parent, and involved the Human Services Department. Statements and other evidence were collected before charges were filed. Police are also examining how the school administration responded after learning of the allegations. ASP Stacy Smith says investigators are reviewing whether the necessary actions were taken.