Douglas County Court issued a warrant for. (KMTV) Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn South High School band teacher who is accused of felony child abuse, made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. The judge set Blufords bond at $75,000. The complaint filed by Deputy County Attorney Molly Keane on Thursday alleges a minor child was put into an exploitive situation in the span of two years, from June 26, 2017-2019. Elkhorn South band director charged with child abuse in case involving former student. 2005 - Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn High School 2006 - Fred Ritter, Columbus High School 2007 - Sharon Hoffman, Bayard Public Schools 2008 - Byron Braasch, Lewis & Clark Middle School 2009 - Stan Johnson, Shickley Public Schools 2010 - Dave Klein, Kearney Public Schools 2011 - Cheri Helmer-Riensche, Papillion-La Vista South High School She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. Elkhorn South band teachers were placed on administrative leave at the end of June as the Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a staff member and a former student. Kjelstrup told the judge Bluford would take the victim to her car for cuddling sessions. She is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. All rights reserved. Once, Kjelstrup said, the girl went to Blufords apartment, where the girl saw numerous photos of herself, including one large photo. OMAHA, Neb. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. Elkhorn Public Schools is aware of the issuance of an arrest warrant for Michelle Bluford, and we continue to cooperate with the Douglas County Sheriffs office in their investigation. Parks went on to say they are dedicated to protecting students from abuse and neglect and said they will take prompt action when a report is received. Elkhorn South band director facing felony child abuse charge, Sheriffs office investigating death of Hall county woman, False reports of school shootings all over Nebraska and the country, University of Nebraska Kearney students make valuable connections at Career and Internship Fair, UNK history professor uncovers Willa Cathers connections to campus, Kearney community, Next University of Nebraska Kearney Science Caf focuses on clinical trials in rural Nebraska, Elkhorn South band teachers were placed on administrative leave, publicfile@ksnblocal4.com - (402) 467-4321. Alia Conley covers breaking news, crime and courts. Zadzwo do nas: 600-88-46-13 | email:would a diamond pickaxe work in real life Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Kristi Hiles-Smith. To reset your password, enter your email address and press Submit. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. According to her biography on the Music for All website, where Bluford is listed as a summer symposium faculty member, before teaching in Elkhorn she spent six years at Ponca Public Schools and six years at Benson High School. Director bands Elkhorn High School, since 2000. The board voted to approve the resignation also without any questions or comments. Elkhorn South band teachers were placed on administrative leave at the end of June as the Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a staff member and a former student. Share Tweet Advertisement Search Matthew Knipe, Blufords attorney said she has long-standing ties to the community. Bluford has been a director of instrumental music at Elkhorn South, Omaha Benson High School and the Ponca Public School, according to an online biography. Kjelstrup added that Bluford would kiss the girls head, face and arms. According to court documents, during the students junior year, Bluford allegedly manipulated the student into believing their family did not care for them. Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse. (WOWT) - The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. Michelle Bluford, 55,is alleged to have initiated and nurtured a relationship with a former student over a period of three years, eventually , Elkhorn South High School's former band directorwas charged this week with two counts of third-degree sexual assault, which are in addition t. She was ordered held on $75,000 bail.. In an ongoing investigation with the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, they were informed of a possible inappropriate relationship with a faculty member and student at Elkhorn South High School. LISBON Metro has launched a tender for the construction of a 4km extension of the Red Line from So Sebastio to Alcntara. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. OMAHA, Neb. His laid back demeanor, however, does not diminish his level of focus and attention to detail with fundamentals. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School band teacher who's accused of felony child abuse, made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. READ MORE: Elkhorn South band director arrested on felony child abuse charge. Some may find the descriptions in this story disturbing. Average annual salary was $55,450 and median salary was $55,972. You have permission to edit this article. The girl had reported her allegations of abuse to someone this summer, and the allegations then were brought to authorities. Father, son charged with animal cruelty after hundreds of dead and dying cattle found on Lincoln County property, Mullen basketball tournament honors late coaches, Bridge of hope Advocacy Center raises over $15,000 in their event, NPIce closes early due to mechanical issues. Her preliminary hearing is August 27 at 9 a.m. A spokesperson for Elkhorn Public Schools said Bluford remains on administrative leave and they will continue to cooperate with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office investigation. District Staff | Elkhorn Public Schools District Staff Below are the campus buildings that house District Staff with the departments listed under each building. According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. Michelle Bluford, 55, who worked for the Elkhorn Public Schools for more than 20 years, is accused of grooming a former female student for two years, forcing her to download an app so her. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. A spokeswoman with Elkhorn Public Schools confirmed Wednesday that ESHS summer band activities had resumed under the direction of Brian Nelsen, recently named the high schools new band director. (AP) - A west Omaha high school band director has been arrested, accused of abusing a former stude. My teaching style is highly tailored to each students individual needs and musical goals. I believe this fosters a level of engagement that serves students as both young musicians and life-long patrons of the arts. Perchal said Brian Nelsen has been named Elkhorn Souths band director, while Bluford remains on administrative leave. Parks said they are conducting an internal review of their policies and protocols surrounding professional boundaries and will be providing training for all staff. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Elkhorn South band director arrested on felony child abuse charge. The vote came down at a special meeting on Monday afternoon. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Submit a Public Notice for Omaha World-Herald, Dirk Chatelain: Driven by the story, mine at The World-Herald has come to an end (for now at least), From 'Inside Edition' to 'Good Morning America,' Nebraska cheerleader inundated with national interviews, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Why Keisei Tominaga is walking on Senior Night - and a key factor in his potential return, McKewon: Why Nebraska teams could roar like lions in March, and a tribute to Dirk Chatelain, From being cut to facing Patrick Mahomes daily, former Nebraska DB Dicaprio Bootle earned ring, Live updates: Nebraska high school girls basketball state tournament, Shatel: Big Ten has a little cleaning up to do before inviting more schools to the party, Former Nebraska corrections employee charged with felony after delivering inmate's baby, officials say, Behind a pair of sisters and unbridled small-town support, Bridgeport believes this is the year, Cheetah briefly escapes enclosure at Omaha zoo, Nebraska high school boys basketball state tournament schedule, Time to move? The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says Elkhorn South High School Band Director Dr. Michelle Bluford was taken into custody Monday evening without incident for one count of Felony Child Abuse in an investigation that is ongoing. Dr. Michelle Bluford, the band director at Elkhorn South High School, was taken into custody late Monday, following a month-long investigation. Pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information. Bluford is accused of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony, for a possible inappropriate relationship with a student. Michelle Bluford - Elkhorn South High School 2014-2015 John Keith - Millard West High School 2015-2016 Frank Ibero - Scottsbluff High School 2016-2017 Brady Rohlfs - Waverly High School 2017-2018 Dan Sodomka - Aurora High School 2018-2019 Carolyn Barber - University of Nebraska-Lincoln 2019-2020 Chiyo Trauernicht - Otte-Blair Middle School Michelle Bluford, 55, who has been with Elkhorn Public Schools for more than 20 years, was charged Wednesday with one count of intentional child abuse. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says an arrest warrant was issued Monday for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, director of the Elkhorn South High School band who has been employed by the district for two decades. According to court documents, during the students junior year, Bluford allegedly manipulated the student into believing their family did not care for them. Copyright 2021 WOWT. Bluford also required the girl to hug her at the beginning and end of each school day, the prosecutor said. The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. Previously was employed with Elkhorn Schools for about 20 years.. The alleged victim graduated in 2019, documents state. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. Kara Perchal, a spokeswoman for the school district, declined to comment on the allegations raised in court Wednesday but later provided a statement about what the district is doing. Her bands, orchestras, and jazz bands have consistently earned Superior Plus and Superior ratings at District Music Contest, state and regional competitions, the website states. OMAHA, Neb. The board also approved the resignation of another band director from Elkhorn South, Lindsey Bogatz. Bluford also allegedly had the victim sit on her lap at school and rock them three times a week, calling this their quiet time. Later, Bluford also allegedly took the victim to her car for cuddles in an effort to get the student to fall asleep; and would rub her hands over the students body, including private areas, documents show. She has been an educator for 16 years, including 14 at Benson High. Bluford drove the girl around in her car, where cuddling sessions occurred, Kjelstrup said, and Bluford tried to get the girl to fall asleep. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. Oakland-Craig Band Director. Blufords attorney, Matt Knipe, said Bluford has no criminal history and many ties to the community because of her two decades of employment with the Elkhorn Public Schools.