Lancaster ISD Teacher on Leave Amid Parent Concerns

A Lancaster High School teacher was put on leave, after concerns were raised about the teacher’s past. 

Lancaster High School has not released the identity of the teacher involved, but parents and students claim to have identified the person as pre-calculus teacher Tyler Deaton. 

Parents, who didn’t want to be interviewed on camera, told NBC 5 that students searched for information about their teachers on Google when Tyler Deaton’s name started showing in the searches.

Students discovered that his wife, Bethany Deaton, was killed in Kansas City, Mo. last fall. A man living with the couple, Micah Moore, was indicted for Bethany Deaton’s murder and implicated Deaton. 

See the history of the Micah Moore case here.

Moore has since recanted the entire story and is awaiting trial.

Lancaster Independent School District communications director S. Cole-Hamilton released a statement to NBC 5 that was sent to parents. 

 “We were recently made aware that there are concerns regarding a teacher at the high school. It was brought to our attention that there are allegations related the teacher’s involvement in an incident related to his wife and other activities.

The staff member, who was hired in February, cleared a formal background check conducted through the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Databases.

However, after receiving the concern, we took immediate action, removed him from the classroom and placed him on leave. We are in the process of obtaining additional information as we further investigate this matter. We appreciate that we have students and stakeholders who hold us to the highest standards. And, we work to ensure that the people in front of our students model the character that we expect. We can assure you that we are proactive in maintaining the high standards of character among our staff. 

We value and understand the importance of honest, open communication; therefore, we wanted to notify you immediately regarding this matter.”

Investigators in Missouri tell NBC 5 that parents from Texas have been calling Jackson County investigators asking about the case.

Jackson County Missouri investigators tell NBC 5 they are aware that Tyler Deaton is living in Texas and is teaching. Sergeant Ronda Montgomery with the Jackson County Sheriff tells NBC 5 that investigators have traveled to Texas more than once.  

Tyler Deaton hasn’t been charged with any crime and by Missouri law, investigators can’t say if he is or is not a suspect in the case.

NBC 5 attempted to contact Tyler Deaton through his Facebook account, but have not received a response.

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