ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — A Central Baldwin Middle School science teacher and basketball coach was removed from the school last December when a student’s parents reported “inappropriate contact” between a 34-year-old male teacher and a 14-year-old female student. The parents’ concerns centered around text messages the teacher was allegedly sending the student.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Robertsdale Police Department and the Baldwin County Attorney General announced the arrest of Bryan Christopher Pettibone on a 12-count indictment that involves three students from last year and one student this year.

Pettibone joined the CBMS staff in 2005, and was at Summerdale Elementary in 2004, according to Terry Wilhite, a spokesman for the Baldwin County Public Schools.

If Pettibone does not make bail, set at $25,000, a preliminary hearing will be held in 72 hours.

Baldwin County District Attorney Judy Newcomb was present at the news conference and indicated that she expected Pettibone to post bond and that it would be “30 to 60 days” before Pettibone would come to trial.

Police say that Pettibone would begin with electronic contact.

“”He would begin by texting and calling female students,” said Sgt. Rex Bishop, chief investigator for the Robertsdale Police Department.

The authorities, Bishop added, have been been able to to recover some of those text messages. Because the investigation is ongoing, Bishop declined to make any of the messages public.

The charges involve four counts of “enticement” of a child under 16 years of age, one count of attempted sexual abuse in the second degree, three counts of attempted sexual abuse in the second degree, and four charges of harassment.

The more serious charges carry eight to 10-year prison terms.

The police and DA’s office are hoping more victims will come forward. While she indicated everyone understood the situation was embarrassing, Newcomb asked for other victims of Pettibone’s or somebody else’s abuse to speak to the District Attorney’s office, their local police department or a trusted adult.

“We know this is embarrassing, but it is not their (the children’s) fault,” said Newcomb. “We would like parents and children to come forward.”

Matt Simpson, an assistant district attorney has been prosecuting child abuse cases in the District Attorney’s office for the past year and a half. He was present at the press conference.

While he has yet to interview the alleged victims, he says the best thing about his involvement is to “help the families get closure” on the incident.

Wilhite added that the school system moved quickly to remove Pettibone from the classroom when the allegations arose in December. Pettibone remains out on leave, but Wilhite indicated that the system will be looking at ways to remove the tenured teacher from the payroll. He indicated that all BCPS employees go through sexual harassment training.

Should a student or parent suspect abuse or a situation is not right, Wilhite encouraged them to speak out.

“We always encourage students to report any activity that they feel uncomfortable with to a teacher, administrator or other respected adult.”

The victims of the alleged assaults, Wilhite added, will be offered counseling.

“Our heart goes out to them,” Wilhite said.