Cassandra Lee Shaffer, 19, is facing charges of child molestation and solicitation after authorities said she fondled a 13-year-old girl at Monroe Central Junior High School.
Prosecutors filed charges against Shaffer late Friday afternoon and the affidavit outlines some shocking details, including the allegation that some of the sexual contact between Shaffer and the student occurred at the home of Shaffer’s father, Clyde Shaffer, who is the president of the Monroe Central School Board.
Authorities said Clyde Shaffer was also the one who signed off on hiring his daughter.
According to an affidavit filed by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, the relationship between Cassandra Shaffer and her victim started with a ride to basketball practice or an invitation to shoot some hoops at Shaffer’s home.
Then, court records said that a kiss was shared and a different kind of relationship began.
Deputies said over the next three months Cassandra Shaffer and the teen engaged in sex acts, sent sexually explicit texts and nude photographs. They allegedly even met in the parking lot of local restaurants.
Authorities said just last month, Shaffer sent the girl a picture of a sex toy and made plans to spend spring break when someone finally tipped off school officials that something was going on between the player and the coach.
Hiram Messersmith, who is a local resident, said,” Well, I think she ought to do time.”
Messersmith is hoping that Shaffer does not get off lightly, especially because her father, Clyde Shaffer, is the president of the school board.
Court records show that some of the sexual activity occurred at Clyde Shaffer’s home, where Cassandra still lives.
Tom Sells who lives in Winchester said, “I hope she went through the same process that anybody else who would be hired would be and that she would not be above that.”
News Center 7 wanted to ask the same question; however, school officials are not commenting on Cassandra Shaffer’s hiring process.
News Center 7 also contacted Clyde Shaffer regarding his daughter’s charges and he declined to comment.
Cassandra Shaffer is no longer working with the basketball program at the school.