NILES, Mich. — REAL News Michiana has learned the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has opened an investigation into a Brandywine English teacher who drew a penis in front of dozens of children. This comes after a parent filed a criminal complaint with the Sheriff’s Department earlier this week. RNM confirmed the information from both the parent who filed the report and a member of the Board of School Trustees. According to the parent, the Sheriff’s Department plans to investigate the incident and then send a report directly to the Prosecuting Attorney.
The incident involving the drawing of the penis happened sometime in the last few weeks and involved middle school English Teacher David Staggs. A student in the class took a picture of Mr. Staggs as he finished the drawing. That picture was shared with other students and parents and was eventually shared with RNM. The staff directory for Brandywine schools lists Staggs as an English Language Arts and Yearbook teacher at Brandywine Middle/High School.
According to Brandywine Community Schools Superintendent Travis Walker, Staggs was asked by a female Health Teacher to come into her classroom to draw the picture for her students during sex education curriculum.
“Using a drawing of the male genitalia to teach the content exhibited poor judgement.” Walker told RNM in an email. “Depicting veins and pubic hair did not contribute to the teaching of the proper use of condoms. The brandywine administration and board of education do not approve of or condone the use of drawings to teach this content. Staff have been directed to refrain from drawing genitalia and any violation of this directive will be handled by school administration.”
It appears the incident could be considered felony Disseminating Sexually Explicit Matter to a Minor. According to Section 722.675 of Michigan’s criminal code, “A person is guilty of disseminating sexually explicit matter to a minor if… a person knows the nature of matter if the person either is aware of its character and content or recklessly disregards circumstances suggesting its character and content.”
RNM has reached out to the Sheriff’s Department for comment. We are waiting for a call back.
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