Former Centennial superintendent sentenced to prison for attempted child abuse

Former Centennial superintendent sentenced to prison for attempted child abuse Tim DeWaard By Melanie Wilkinson Managing Editor SEWARD – Monday morning, in Seward County District Court, former Centennial superintendent Tim DeWaard, 57, was sentenced to one year in prison for attempted felony child abuse.The charge initially began as felony child abuse and was later amended as part of a plea agreement.DeWaard was accused of abusing a student. He was arrested last July and shortly thereafter resigned from his position as school superintendent at Centennial, a position he had held since 2007. Prior to serving at Centennial, he was a school administrator in Eustis-Farnam, Valentine and Tri County schools.The victim told investigators DeWaard asked for shirtless photos over Snapchat. The teenager said DeWaard would have him sit on his lap and touched his inner thigh while in his locked office.During sentencing proceedings, Seward County Attorney Wendy Elston told the court she believed incarceration was necessary.“The state will advise that probation is not appropriate,” Elston said. “This is a severe violation of trust which makes it most egregious in society. The defendant was in a position to know the impact of his selfish decision on this child. He was educated about abuse. He…
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