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Teacher accused of sexual offenses involving students

Online Niel November 21, 2024

LAKE WACCAMAW, NC (WECT) – A former Lake Waccamaw charter school teacher is in custody on multiple drug and sex offense charges.

According to arrest warrants, the Lake Waccamaw Police Department arrested 49-year-old Jody Watts on Wednesday, November 20th. He was a teacher at Thomas Academy, a middle and high school run by Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina. (BGHNC).

A BGHNC representative sent the following statement to WECT:

On Sunday, November 17, officials at Boys & Girls Homes (BGHNC) and Thomas Academy were notified that a Thomas Academy employee had allegedly engaged in inappropriate communication with a Thomas Academy student. The Thomas Academy employee’s employment contract has been terminated.

BGHNC and Thomas Academy officials have notified and are cooperating with law enforcement and the district attorney’s office. Counselors are available at school to help teachers or students affected by the news. The student involved receives support and counseling care through Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina.

“Boys & Girls Homes is first and foremost concerned with the safety of our youth at all times,” said Marc Murphy, president and CEO of BGHNC. “We take the care of all our children seriously and will not tolerate any lapses in this commitment within our organization.”

As this is a personnel matter and now in the court system, we are unable to comment at this time.

Watts was charged with: