A Georgia high school is facing fresh questions after another member of its administration was placed on leave as investigators continue examining serious sexual abuse allegations against its former principal. Dade County Schools confirmed that Assistant Principal Vic Grider has been placed on leave amid the ongoing investigation involving former Dade County High School Principal Joseph “Brent” Cooper.
In a letter dated November 9, Superintendent Josh Ingle informed parents, students and school employees about Grider’s removal from his duties. The superintendent said the decision was made “as a result of the ongoing investigation” involving Cooper. However, the letter did not explain Grider’s connection to the investigation or accuse him of any wrongdoing.
With Grider now away from the school, Chastity Steadman will oversee daily operations at Dade County High School, receiving support from other district employees. School officials have not released further details about the administrative decision.
The development comes after newly released arrest warrants revealed additional criminal allegations against Cooper. The former principal is accused of rape, child molestation and aggravated sexual battery. The allegations involve two female victims who were minors during at least part of the periods described in the court documents.
According to one arrest affidavit, a Dade County sheriff’s investigator alleges that Cooper forcibly raped a female victim against her will sometime between January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2020. The document places the victim’s age between 16 and 19 during the period covered by the allegation.
A separate affidavit describes allegations involving an 8-year-old child. Investigators allege that Cooper sexually abused the child between August 13, 2019, and August 13, 2020. The warrants also list child molestation and aggravated sexual battery charges connected to the allegations involving the young child.
Both sets of allegations point to a residence on Meadowbrook Lane in Trenton, Georgia. The documents outline the alleged time periods but do not establish that Cooper has been convicted of any of the offenses.
Cooper’s initial arrest came in late October. The Dade County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation began after the high school’s school resource officer received information about possible misconduct. Cooper was initially charged with two counts of improper sexual contact by an employee, agent or foster parent.
In a letter dated October 29, Superintendent Ingle informed families that Cooper had been placed on administrative leave while the district awaited further information. At the time, both assistant principals were assigned to oversee the school’s daily activities. The November 9 announcement later identified Cooper as the school’s former principal without explaining when his employment status changed.
Another development emerged on November 10, when online court records reportedly showed that Cooper’s wife had filed for divorce. No additional details about the divorce proceedings were provided in the information available.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information about the allegations, or anyone who believes they may have been a victim, to contact the Dade County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. Tips can be sent to tips@dadesheriff.com or provided by calling 706-657-3233.
Cooper has been accused of serious crimes, but the allegations remain unproven in court. The investigation has also raised questions about the school administration, particularly following Grider’s placement on leave. For now, school officials have not explained what prompted the latest personnel decision.
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