CULLMAN – On the afternoon of April 20, Cullman High School Principal Dr. Elton Bouldin and Vice Principal Mark Stephens turned themselves in to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office following a complaint made by a student’s parent. Multiple sources alleged both Bouldin and Stephens were on the family's property without the family's consent. No comment was given by law enforcement, educators or those involved.
Sheriff Matt Gentry said late Wednesday evening that both men did turn themselves in, were booked and were then released all in a short period of time.
“Earlier this afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office received a warrant for Elton Bouldin and Mark Stephens," said Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry. "The sheriff’s office did not participate in any investigation with regards to these two individuals. A citizen came and filed a report. The citizen then took that report to the magistrate’s office and swore out to an affidavit, swore out warrants for Elton Bouldin and Mark Stephens . Warrants were issued by the magistrate’s office. Dr. Bouldin and Mr. Stephens turned themselves in to the Sheriff's Office. They were arrested, processed and released all in the same incident. Bouldin was arrested for criminal trespass, 3rd and failure to report to school, which is a new law. Stephens was arrested for criminal trespass."
Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson stated, “This is a matter that we are looking into concerning personnel. I have no further comment at this time. Thank you.”
Below is a statement just released by Bouldin:
Statement Regarding Misdemeanor Warrants
Dr. Elton Bouldin
Principal Cullman High School
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Today the parent of a CHS student obtained two misdemeanor warrants from the Cullman County Sheriff Department. One warrant alleges Criminal Trespass 3rd degree against Principal Dr. Elton Bouldin and Assistant Principal Mark Stephens. The second warrant alleges Dr. Bouldin failed to report an incident of school violence to Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson. The accusations are not true. However, misdemeanor warrants do not allow those accused an opportunity to respond to the charges prior to the court hearing. Mr. Stephens and I look forward to our opportunity to provide accurate information on these two alleged incidences.
This is a developing story.
