The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division on Thursday, Nov. 14, arrested Dr. Chad Dwight Barrett, 56, of Hardin, for two counts of Possession and Promotion of Child Pornography, a third-degree felony.
This arrest followed a report filed by a juvenile student and his mother, who came to the Sheriff’s Office regarding a social media video the juvenile received, believed to have been sent by Barrett.
At the start of the investigation, investigators learned that Dr. Barrett is the principal of Hardin Junior High. He previously was the principal for Liberty High School. Barrett also worked with the athletics programs for Hardin ISD during his employment.
Investigators went to Hardin Junior High to meet with Dr. Barrett, who cooperated and provided a statement. During their investigation, they determined that Barrett’s personal cell phone contained images and videos of child pornography.
Upon learning of the allegations against Barrett, Hardin ISD took immediate action and placed Barrett on administrative leave. The District informed parents, guardians and employees of the matter on Thursday prior to Barrett’s arrest.
The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is urging parents of Hardin Middle School students to speak with their children to ensure they have not received any inappropriate messages, photos, or videos from Barrett.
If your child has received any of these items, please contact the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 936-336-4500 and ask to speak with an investigator.
“I encourage all parents who have kids with cell phones and access to social media to monitor who your child is communicating with on social media, for the protection of your child,” said Capt. David Meyers, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Barrett is being held at the Liberty County Jail. Bond for each of the two charges is set at $10,000.
I KNEW DR.B WAS WEIRD HE CREEPED ME TF OUT IN HIGH SCHOOL
An odd feature of this guy’s biography is that he left a position as principal of Liberty High School to become the asst principal of a junior high school. Was the reason for this move ever explained to district parents?
He was principal, never assistant principal.
Parents wouldn’t generally be given any statement about a change in admin staff like that, unless there was a controversy (there doesn’t seem to have been at the time). The district *might* make a press release or statement on their website congratulating the staff member on moving on to greener pastures if the new position is significant and worth bragging about, but for someone leaving for a different district, it would be unexpected to make a song and dance of it.
Given that he came to Hardin still in the midst of COVID, there could be any of a dozen reasons for the job change. Money could have been better, district politics may have been better, location could have been closer to home, etc.
This news is absolutely shocking and I’m sure everyone is stunned, but I’m just pointing out that a job/district change like that is incredibly common and doesn’t necessarily speak to the current scandal.
There are no words for what he has done
I wonder what liberty swept under the rug for him to leave liberty high school to come to Hardin junior high
Another convicted before trial. I was on one of those kind of juries one time. We aquited him in about 5 minutes.
They found images and videos on his phone. So what are you saying?
I am saying he hasn’t been to trial yet. You couldn’t understand that?
I understand completely. Also found child porn images and videos on his phone. Do you understand that? Obviously your acquittal case and this one isn’t the same if you acquitted your case in 5 minutes.
Bluebonnet news is gunna ruin the man’s life before the charges will yall need to wait to make these posts until he’s been charged if not yall are going to end up in a lawsuit yourself someday when someone gets aquited and yall slandered their name everywhere
This was a press release from the sheriff’s office and it has been posted on many other news websites. – Vanesa