Brittany Fortinberry, a former employee of the Marion School District in Martinsville, faces several charges of sexual misconduct related to her actions. She is currently being held without bond.
An ex-substitute teacher in Indiana is facing charges stemming from allegations of inappropriate conduct with multiple students during the years 2023 and 2024, as per court documents and official statements.
Brittany Fortinberry, age 31, who served as a substitute teacher for the Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Martinsville, has been charged with several counts of sexual misconduct, distribution of harmful materials to minors, and contributing to a minor’s delinquency, according to records from the Morgan County Superior Court.
After her initial arrest, additional students came forward with claims that Fortinberry had also victimized them, as reported by the district’s Police Chief Chris Wright in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday.
“When students approached us expressing concerns about potentially being victims, we immediately shared their information with the detective from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department handling the case,” Wright explained. “We acted on this information the moment we received it.”
New filings in the case reveal that Fortinberry is now facing further accusations, including child molestation and sexual misconduct involving a minor.
Fortinberry’s resignation occurred in early 2024
According to officials, Fortinberry worked at Eminence High School in the district, where she taught some of her alleged victims.
MSD of Martinsville spokesperson Courtney Vandeventer stated that Fortinberry resigned on January 9, 2024, and that her resignation was not related to the “allegations of sexual misconduct.”
“The MSD of Martinsville is aware of serious allegations concerning a former employee,” Vandeventer added. “The district is fully collaborating with law enforcement and remains dedicated to ensuring a safe environment for students.
The district conducts comprehensive background checks on all employees as part of its hiring process, Vandeventer confirmed.
“The safety of our students is our top priority,” she emphasized, encouraging students and families to report any concerns.
Fortinberry’s attorney had not responded to requests for comments from USA TODAY at the time of publication.
Court documents outline the allegations
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by WTHR-TV and WISH-TV, some of the alleged victims were as young as 13 and 14 at the time of the offenses, and Fortinberry is accused of drugging at least one student prior to the incidents.
WTHR also reported that in one instance, the former teacher allegedly purchased items for a group of teenagers and made them wear ghostface masks from the horror film “Scream” before allegedly assaulting them, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit further claims that Fortinberry threatened the students, saying that if they disclosed what occurred, she would take her own life.
Fortinberry remains jailed without bond
Records indicate that Fortinberry is still in jail as of Thursday and is expected to appear in court for a bond hearing on April 3.
A jury trial has been scheduled for June, according to court documents.
This story has been updated for accuracy regarding the MSD in Martinsville and to include new details.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
