Teacher Accused of Inappropriate Conduct Accepts Plea
Posted
Craig Brosman-
Monday morning in a completely closed-door session, Tyler Baatz agreed to a plea deal.
Baatz was in Kosciusko County Superior Court I for a pre-trial conference in Judge Duane Huffer’s chambers when he agreed to a plea deal from Prosecuting Attorney Daniel H. Hampton.
Baatz was ordered to be back in court for a plea hearing Nov. 7 at 8:30 a.m.
Hampton was optimistic about the situation and feels that the plea is in the best interest of all parties.
“I met with the family and talked about possible solutions,” Hampton said. “All parties are in agreement at this point, but we will see what happens at the plea hearing.”
Baatz was arrested Aug. 21 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, 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 Edgewood Middle School and a girls basketball coach.
Baatz’s bond was set at $20,000 and he has since bonded out.
Baatz’s lawyer in the action is J. Michael Loomis, of Loomis Law Office, Fort Wayne.
