Teacher accused of engaging in sex act with teen

LEBANON, Ind. (WISH) - 24-Hour News 8 has learned new details about a Lebanon Middle School teacher charged with two counts of child seduction.

Court documents outline the severity of the allegations made against 53-year-old Robert Willhite Jr.

According to the charging information, Willhite is accused of fondling, touching, and engaging in a sex act with a 16-year-old girl.

Police say the girl was a former student. The girl’s mother is the one who notified police.

"The victim’s mother had concerns about Mr. Willhite’s actions with her daughter so she did make the complaints to us and our detectives investigated from there," said Lt. Brent Wheat of the Lebanon Police Department.

A probable cause hearing led a judge to issue a warrant for Willhite’s arrest. The middle school teacher turned himself in on Wednesday and then posted a $500 bond.

Police are calling this an isolated case. They say since his arrest, no other victims have come forward.

Police say Bob Willhite has been a teacher at the middle school for 20 years. Before his arrest, he taught health and coached three different sports.

He has been placed on indefinite administrative suspension.

24-Hour News 8 went to Willhite's home to get his side of the story. No one answered the door.

A neighbor said she had not seen Willhite or his wife since he turned himself in on Wednesday. She’s floored by the news.

"I still can’t believe it. I still can’t. I just feel so bad for both of them. He’s one of those guys you would never think he would do something like that" said Peggy Hine.

According to our news gathering partners at the Lebanon Reporter, Willhite’s initial court hearing is set for Monday at 2 p.m. A pre-trial hearing has been set for April 24. His trial date is June 15.