KEARNEY, Mo. — A Kearney High School teacher and coach, who was placed on paid administrative leave last spring, has been charged in Clay County with first-degree sexual misconduct.
Bryant Hummel worked as a math teacher, assistant football coach and wrestling coach at Kearney when he allegedly exposed his genitals to two 17-year-old female students on multiple occasions, according to a Kearney Police Department probable cause statement.
"I mean it’s disgusting," said Daryn Ross, whose daughter attends Kearney High School. "This district is a black mark on the entire Northland."
The alleged incident happened March 3, 2020, when the two students stayed after school to receive help with homework after missing class for an athletic competition.
Hummel allegedly exposed himself. When one of the students asked what he was doing, the students said Hummel said “Oh, I see how it is” before returning to his desk.
Later, Hummel walked up behind the girls again with his genitals exposed.
As the girls left, Hummel allegedly threatened to fail them and damage their athletic careers. He then called the girls via FaceTime with his genitals exposed on camera from his home and texted them asking them to come to his house, according to court documents.
Hummel asked the girls to expose themselves, too.
"You know there has to be a standard of moral and ethical values brought back into the school — this is just unacceptable and can’t be allowed," said Jamie Harris, whose son goes to Kearney High School.
After the incident was brought to the attention of Kearney Assistant Superintendent Jeff Morrison in April 2021, police were called and Hummel declined to comment to investigators.
"I mean, why do we allow a teacher to still remain in the school district? How do we know nothing else had happened?" Harris said.
First-degree sexual misconduct is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 under Missouri law.
The Kearney School District released a statement Wednesday, which it later expanded upon. The district also said that he is not allowed on school property.
Kearney School District officials previously investigated allegations against Bryant Hummel pursuant to Board of Education Policy. That investigation was conducted to the full extent allowed under the law for public school districts in Missouri.
Based on the information released in Clay County’s probable cause statement, we are reopening our investigation into the allegations.
The safety of students is always our top priority. KSD takes all student concerns and allegations seriously, investigates them pursuant to district policies, and fully cooperates with state agencies and law enforcement.
State and federal laws prevent us from sharing any further details.
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Chief Communications Officer Mallory McGowin told KSHB 41 News that Hummel still has an active teaching certificate in Missouri.
"His file has been flagged and once his criminal case is adjudicated with a conviction or guilty plea, then the State Board of Education may consider disciplinary action," McGowin said.
A criminal summons was issued Tuesday, directing Hummel to appear Oct. 25 in Clay County Circuit Court.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly listed the charges.
