Former Capital School District Employee Arrested For Child Abuse Following Investigation

Incident Number:  50-23-34335

Date/Time: Thursday, October 19th, 2023

Location: William Henry Middle School, 65 Carver Road, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid   Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested Richard Powell, 55, of Felton, following an investigation into an incident that occurred last fall at William Henry Middle School, 65 Carver Road, Dover. DE. The investigation began on October 19th, 2023, when the School Resource Officer was notified of an incident involving Powell, and the victim, an 11-year-old of Dover, where it was reported that Powell had caused injury to the victim while at school. At the time of this incident, Powell was employed by the Capital School District as a paraprofessional. Since the date of this incident, the Dover Police Department has worked in collaboration with the Capital School District and the Delaware Department of Justice to come to a resolution for this case. On Monday, February 5th, 2024 a warrant was obtained for Powell for his alleged actions during this incident.

On February 5th, 2024 Powell turned himself in to Dover Police Department to be processed and arraigned. 

Powell was released on his own recognizance on the following charge:
-Child Abuse Third Degree

The Capital School District provided the following statement: 

“We want to address an incident that occurred last fall involving one of our former employees. 

After investigating the incident, Capital School District contacted the Division of Family Services and has since cooperated with law enforcement. The District also informed the Delaware Department of Education of the incident and separation from employment, as we are required to do by law, and we have been cooperating with their investigators to provide information as requested. 

Our district takes matters of student safety very seriously. 

In light of this, we are committed to reassessing our training programs and procedures to be proactive with a focus on prevention. Our priority remains providing a safe and supportive environment for all students.

As with all personnel matters with former and current employees, we are not at liberty to share additional information.  

Please reach out to Capital School District Public Relations (PR@capital.k12.de.us) with any questions.”