EXETER, Mo. -- A former basketball and baseball coach and physical education teacher faces charges of statutory rape in Barry County. Scott White, 41, was arrested this week on four counts of statutory rape involving a child under age 14.
In a school of about 350 kids, White taught P.E. to them all, kindergarten through 12th grade. He also coached basketball and baseball.
"We put out a newsletter when we found the prosecutor had issued a warrant for his arrests. We wanted to make sure the families of this community were aware of this," said Exeter School District Superintendent Ernie Raney.
White has been gone from Exeter for more than a year, but he's now accused of repeatedly raping a 13-year-old girl, at least once during school hours, during his time in Exeter.
"This is a difficult matter, and I just want to be sure that, whatever we do, we help and we don't impede the investigation or impede the process," Raney said.
The girl told investigators that White had sex with her four times from April to May of 2011 inside the Exeter School building. It wasn't until last November that she told a faculty member at her new school.
"We want to help the family. We want to help the child in any way we can," said Raney.
He also wants to ensure that children in Exeter Schools are kept as safe as possible. He invites community input and will continue annual staff training, "so they can continue to understand if there's any sign of neglect or abuse. We're mandated reporters. We report to the Children's Division, and allow them to come in and do the investigation," said Raney.
As the investigation continues, Exeter schools staff are focused on doing their best for their current students.
