Judge Enters Not Guilty Plea for Teacher Charged with Sexual Misconduct
Posted
Craig Brosman-
Two days after Edgewood Middle School eighth grade teacher Tyler J. Baatz was arrested on sexual misconduct charges involving a former student, he was arraigned in Kosciusko County Superior Court I this morning.
Baatz, 26, Warsaw, was charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, a Class B felony. A Class B felony has a possible imprisonment of six to 20 years.
Judge Duane Huffer entered a plea of not guilty on Baatz' behalf after assigning him a lawyer.
Baatz was read his constitutional rights and asked if he would like an attorney appointed to him or if he would hire one by himself.
Baatz quietly informed Huffer that he would like to have a court appointed attorney to represent him.
Huffer then asked Baatz a few questions to determine if he is of indigent status.
Huffer asked Baatz if he had any cash. Baatz with his head down quietly responded with a “no.”
Huffer then asked Baatz if he had any bank accounts and if so how much money was in each.
Baatz quietly responded with “yes.” Huffer then asked how much was in the account and Baatz said “$200.”
Huffer also asked Baatz if he was employed and if so if he was currently receiving a paycheck.
Baatz told Huffer that he was employed but he was unsure if he was still being paid.
Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz told the Times-Union this morning that after discussion with legal counsel and due to the severity of the charges against Baatz, he would be suspended without pay until the matter was resolved.
Huffer then asked Baatz if he owned a motor vehicle and he said “Yes, but I owe about $10,000.”
Finally Huffer asked if Baatz owned any real estate and Baatz said “no.”
Huffer then informed Baatz that he would take the matter under advisement in order to determine if he was indigent, but he would appoint him an attorney.
Baatz was arrested Tuesday night in regards to an inappropriate relationship with a former student.
According to the probable cause affidavit Baatz had texted and seen the former student on multiple occasions in and out of school.
The probable cause affidavit states that during summer school the student would come to Baatz’s room and they would hug and kiss.
On another occasion the probable cause affidavit states that the girl went to Baatz’s apartment at 415 N. Parker St., Warsaw, and he fondled her and touched her inappropriately.
Baatz is a fourth year language arts teacher at the school and a girls basketball coach.
Baatz’s bond was set at $20,000 and was still at the Kosciusko County Jail as of press time.
