More Sexual Misconduct Charges Filed Against Morgan County Teacher

Why this matters: The case highlights the vulnerability of minors to exploitation by individuals in positions of authority and raises concerns about safeguarding children in schools and communities.

Brittany Fortinberry, 31, of Martinsville, Indiana, initially faced charges related to sending sexual messages and videos to teacher assistants. The investigation expanded after the Department of Child Services (DCS) contacted parents of potential victims, leading to more charges.

One victim stated that Fortinberry would drug him and have sex with him when he was 13, also involving his friends in similar activities. Another victim reported Fortinberry offering money for photos of genitals and coercing teens into sexual acts.

According to court documents, Fortinberry allegedly had sex with teens after putting her children to bed and, in one instance, forced a teen to wear a "Scream" mask during a group encounter, threatening suicide if they reported her.

Another teen reported that Fortinberry passed out drugs, including marijuana and mushrooms, to minors, and made sexual advances in the days leading up to the concert, as well as after it, and allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim. Fortinberry also accused of sending the child nude images of herself through Snapchat, per the report.

Fortinberry resigned from her position on August 23, 2024. Her lawyers have filed a notice of mental illness or defect, seeking a psychological evaluation to determine her mental competence at the time of the alleged offenses.

Fortinberry faces 47 charges, including sexual misconduct with a minor, dissemination of material harmful to minors, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The alleged victims are middle school boys, some as young as 13 years old.

Her lawyers are seeking a mental illness defense and have requested a psychological evaluation.

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