CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A former Huntersville teacher facing charges for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student at SouthLake Christian Academy faced a judge Monday afternoon, records show.
Tyler Dean Melton, 26, was charged with felony sexual acts with a student and indecent liberties with a student after his arrest on Friday, Dec. 15. Records show that Melton resigned from SouthLake Christian Academy in April after he was placed on administrative leave. That was just days before Huntersville police first became aware of the possible relationship.
WCNC Charlotte's Nate Morabito reported that a search warrant revealed Huntersville police "did not investigate" a potential crime when it was first brought to their attention more than six months ago. A Cornelius investigator noted a lack of action by Huntersville police multiple times in a September search warrant application seeking access to Melton's cellphone records.
Detective John Lineberger said Huntersville police were first made aware of the possible relationship on May 3, but didn't investigate further. A spokesperson for the Huntersville Police Department acknowledged the seriousness of the case but defending the department's handling of the allegations.
"We did investigate in the sense that we were attempting to determine who a victim was in this case so we could validate whether a crime had taken place," Maj. Brian Vaughan said. "We did not conduct an investigation to the fact of bringing in victims, because we didn't have any."
A search warrant obtained by WCNC Charlotte alleges that Melton and one of his underage students started as "friends," but their friendship evolved into a "romantic relationship" between April and May of 2023. The warrant says the two met almost daily in parking lots and eventually engaged in sexual activity, including on prom night.
"This is an injustice," criminal defense attorney Aaron Lee said. "I think it's a dropping of the ball. I think it's unacceptable. It's disheartening that this happened and it makes you wonder why."
WCNC Charlotte asked Lee and longtime civil attorney Seth Langson separately to review the warrant and share their reactions. Langson, now retired, spent 36 years representing child victims of sex crimes. He said the vulnerable kids often need a third party to intervene.
"They deserve a full investigation," Langson said. "My gut reaction is (Huntersville police) should have been more active. I don't know how long it took them to get on it, but it should've been quickly. It should have been high priority."
WCNC Charlotte reached out to SouthLake Christian Academy's director multiple times over several weeks. On Saturday, Dec. 16, the academy shared a statement sent to families that same day by Matthew Kerlin, the head of the school:
We know how much our students and families value close-knit relationships with our faculty and staff. Such mutually respectful relationships are a hallmark of our community. These relationships, however, must remain within healthy and appropriate boundaries. In this spirit, I want to share an update about former high school teacher Tyler Melton.
Mr. Melton resigned his position at SouthLake on April 29, 2023, less than 24 hours after the school placed him on leave and launched an investigation into reports he met off campus with a high school student. In coordination with local and state law enforcement authorities, our investigation continued over the summer. In late July, we received specific information suggesting that an inappropriate relationship had occurred. We immediately turned over all relevant details to the Cornelius Police Department, the alleged conduct having occurred in their jurisdiction, and we continue to cooperate fully with their investigation. Yesterday, the Cornelius Police Department obtained a warrant for Mr. Melton for Felony Sexual Acts with a Student and Indecent Liberties with a Student. Mr. Melton turned himself into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Jail.
Obviously, we are deeply disappointed by these events. We take with utmost seriousness the well-being of our students. All employees go through an extensive vetting process and comprehensive background check. We train our teachers on appropriate boundaries with students and expect them to uphold those standards on and off campus. We will continue to operate with the highest standards of integrity as a school. You can help us by providing any relevant information to me or a member of our staff, and by avoiding gossip that can be disruptive to our students and our educational environment.
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me, and I will help in every way possible. In the days ahead, please pray for those involved in this case.
A few months after being placed on administrative leave from SouthLake Christian Academy Melton went and got a new teaching job at Langtree Charter Academy in Mooresville. He was hired on July 6 as a substitute teacher for the upper school.
A spokesperson with Langtree said Melton passed the background check and had no disciplinary action on his record.
Criminal defense attorney James Exum, who is not related to the case, said he may have been able to fly under the radar and get the job because he wasn’t facing charges at the time of hire.
“I don't think there's any legal obligation to tell without charges having been filed while still just an investigation,” Exum said. “But in due diligence, any employee will want to know why you left your other job and check the other job to confirm that what you're telling me is correct.”
Langtree said Melton resigned on Dec. 15, without giving any reason for his resignation. On the same day, he was charged by Cornelius police and he surrendered himself.
A spokesperson with the school said they were not aware of any allegations against Melton until after his arrest. Adding investigations by Southlake Christian Academy and the Cornelius Police Department would not have appeared on any background check.
The academy adds in a statement “We can confidently say that none of the allegations occurred with any of our students or on our campus.”
If convicted, Exum said Melton could face jail time, be required to register as a sex offender, and could be banned from future classrooms.
“If you're putting the student in a vulnerable position, sexually, the likelihood is the board's not going to be likely didn't let you keep your license in that situation,” Exum said.
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