PUBLIC SAFETY

Park Tudor hires attorney to investigate Kyle Cox situation

Marisa Kwiatkowski
IndyStar

The Park Tudor Board of Directors has hired an attorney to conduct an independent investigation into the conduct of former basketball coach Kyle Cox and school officials, according to a letter sent Friday.

Park Tudor School, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016.

Cox was taken into federal custody last week amid accusations he repeatedly coerced a 15-year-old student at the school into sending him explicit images. The 31-year-old, who was a chemistry teacher, was charged with one count of coercion and enticement. Cox resigned from Park Tudor on Dec. 15 after signing a confidentiality agreement.

The federal complaint also raised questions about whether Park Tudor officials impeded law enforcement's investigation and violated state law by not immediately reporting the suspected abuse to the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Attorney Larry Mackey, of the law firm Barnes & Thornburg, will handle Park Tudor's investigation into its own handling of the situation.

The board's letter, which was addressed to faculty, parents and alumni and was signed by board President Rob Brown, said anyone with knowledge of Cox or someone else making a student uncomfortable should report it to Barnes & Thornburg.

The board said it expects the investigation to be completed within 30 days.

Ex-Park Tudor coach Kyle Cox accused of sending sexually explicit messages to student

Barnes & Thornburg also hired John Daniel Tinder, a retired federal judge, to review Park Tudor's existing child protection policies and procedures. He will monitor compliance with those for at least three years.

"We can also assure you that our school will be fully cooperative with law enforcement as its investigation continues and the prosecution of Kyle Cox goes forward," Brown wrote.

Call IndyStar reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski at (317) 444-6135. Follow her on Twitter: @IndyMarisaK.

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