Two Former Durham Charter School Administrators Convicted; Assault Case Ongoing

DURHAM, N.C. — Two former administrators at a Durham charter school have been convicted for failing to report the abuse of a disabled 5-year-old student, while the former employee accused of carrying out the assault still faces felony charges in an ongoing case that continues to unfold in Durham County court.

Guilty Pleas in Failure to Report Abuse

Court records show that Melanie Stack, the former principal of Research Triangle Charter Academy, and Nicole Ann Scotto, the former dean of special education, pleaded guilty Wednesday to:

• Misdemeanor obstruction of justice

• Failure to report child abuse

Both women were sentenced to 45 days in the Durham County Detention Center.

Prosecutors alleged that administrators Stack and Scotto failed to report the August 2024 assault to law enforcement and provided false information to a Durham police investigator during the inquiry.

Assault Charges Against Former Employee

The case stems from an alleged assault involving Jeremy Raekwon Whitley, a former employee of Research Triangle Charter Academy.

According to the Durham Police Department and court documents, Whitley was indicted on charges including:

• Felony child abuse inflicting serious injury

• Aggravated assault on an individual with a disability

• Misdemeanor child abuse

• Assault on a child under 12

Authorities say the 5-year-old disabled student sustained serious injuries in the August 2024 incident.

Whitley’s case remains ongoing. He appeared in Durham County Court on Wednesday, the same day Stack and Scotto entered their guilty pleas.

Employment Status

Court records confirm that all three individuals are no longer employed by Research Triangle Charter Academy.

The investigation remains active as prosecutors continue pursuing the case against Whitley.