Smithfield Police have given their first update on a sexual assault investigation reported at Neuse Charter School.
On May 18th, WTSB News first reported that a female student told police she was raped while on the campus of the charter school on Booker Dairy Road. The victim reported the incident on May 16th but said the alleged assault happened in mid-April. Officials did not disclose if the incident occurred during school hours.
On Thursday, interim Smithfield Police Chief Keith Powell said a detective assigned to the case has interviewed both the victim and the suspect named by the woman. Chief Powell said the incident remains under investigation by the detective. No additional information was released.
Officials have not commented on why the victim waited several weeks to file a police report. School officials said they first learned about the incident from a WTSB News story.
On May 18th, Neuse Charter School Board Chairman Tony Gupton said the school board had not been made aware of the specific incident or alleged actions prior to the WTSB News report, however, Neuse Charter would assist and support the investigation and take any necessary actions.
Chief Powell did not indicate when the investigation might be completed.
