(ELKHART - A middle school teacher in Elkhart has been arrested on multiple felony charges involving alleged misconduct with a minor.
According to police, 54-year-old Donald Shafer, a social studies teacher at West Side Middle School, was taken into custody early Wednesday after officers reportedly found him with a teenage boy inside a vehicle at Shanklin Park around 3 a.m.
Authorities said Shafer faces charges including child seduction, sexual misconduct with a minor, child solicitation and child exploitation. He was booked into the Elkhart County Jail.
Elkhart Community Schools said it was notified by law enforcement and immediately placed Shafer on paid administrative leave for violating district policies regarding inappropriate conduct with a student. The district stated it is cooperating fully with investigators.
School officials described the situation as a serious matter involving student safety.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information has been released regarding potential victims