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Teacher accused of fabrication
Published 11/5/2009 in Local News : Police
By RACHAEL GRAY
A teacher who said he was stabbed in the leg, beaten and robbed in his classroom is being accused of making up the story.
Michael Blanks, 1406 E. Laurel St., was cited and released Wednesday for falsely reporting a crime.
Garden City police officers were dispatched to Alta Brown Elementary School, 1110 E. Pine St., at 10:14 p.m. on Aug. 9 and found Blanks, 23, with what appeared to be a stab wound to his right lower leg.
He claimed two Hispanic males forced their way into the school and beat him and stabbed him in the leg.
Garden City Police Sgt. Michael Reagle said police now believe Blanks suffered the wound to his leg after he fell off of a desk while stapling things to the wall in his classroom. Reagle said he may have stepped off the counter or desk and cut himself on the corner of a countertop or desk.
Blanks was given a $300 ticket for allegedly falsely reporting the crime and was assessed court fees of $70. The crime is a misdemeanor. Blanks has 15 working days to pay or contest the ticket, according to municipal court staff.
The reason Blanks allegedly fabricated the story is unclear, Reagle said. It still is under investigation.
Blanks told police he was inside the school working in his classroom when he heard someone knocking on the southeast doors of the school. He said he went to the doors and the two men motioned for him to let them in the school.
Blanks said he opened the door and the suspects pushed their way into the school, according to police. Blanks claimed the men began hitting him in the face and threatening him with a knife.
Blanks said he was able to briefly get away before he fell to the ground and was stabbed in the leg. The suspects then ran from the school.
Blanks went to St. Catherine Hospital, where he received four staples to close the wound to his leg, according to police.
Rick Atha, USD 457 superintendent, said no disciplinary action has been taken. He said the police investigation is still ongoing and that USD 457 is conducting its own investigation.
Atha said he would be disappointed to learn the allegations were false, but at the same time glad that no one from the community attacked a teacher.
Found 1 comment(s)!
teacher of what
I certainly hope 457 investigates this closely and if this is a false report, he is dismissed . who wants a teacher like that teaching our kids. I also hope they file a civil case against him for all monetary loses
Posted by: al chappel on 11/6/2009