Raleigh middle school teacher suspended after child-sex charge, principal says

A teacher at Ligon Middle School in Raleigh has been suspended after he was charged with taking indecent liberties with a child, the school's principal said in a message to parents on Friday.

Thomas Wright, who is listed as a special education teacher on the school's website, was charged and suspended from his job Friday, principal Gretta Dula said in a recorded phone message.

"Based on the information from the district attorney's office, we know that this charge is not related to a crime against a student at our school," Dula said. "Nonetheless, I wanted you to be informed immediately."

Dula did not say which law enforcement agency charged Wright. A spokeswoman for the Raleigh Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for information.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Friday evening that she was unfamiliar with the case.

Ligon Middle is a magnet school near downtown Raleigh.

"It is important for you to know that your child's safety and security is our top priority," Dula said in the message.

This story was originally published April 6, 2018 at 7:53 PM with the headline "Raleigh middle school teacher suspended after child-sex charge, principal says."