UPDATE: GRAINGER COUNTY, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – Steven Blanken, a Grainger County school board member, is facing two counts of aggravated statutory rape, according to the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office. He’s also been released on bond.
An update from the sheriff’s office, along with court records, have revealed more about the investigation into Blanken. According to the sheriff’s office, Blanken had begun a relationship with a minor sometime in December. That minor was 16 at the time, according to Blanken’s warrant.
Blanken was arrested on Friday, then released after he posted a $20,000 bond, the sheriff’s office said. As a condition of his release, Blanken is being monitored using a GPS and is not allowed near the victim or their family.
The investigation into Blanken first came to light Saturday, when the county’s director of schools, Mark Briscoe, released a statement. In that statement, Briscoe said it was the school system’s administration that originally told law enforcement about the alleged relationship.
Blanken is scheduled to appear in Grainger County General Sessions Court on March 10.
Original Story:
GRAINGER COUNTY, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – A school board member and substitute teacher in Grainger County has been arrested after an alleged inappropriate relationship with a child.
According to Grainger County Director of Schools Mark Briscoe, a parent came forward on Feb. 19 about a possible inappropriate relationship between a child and Steve Blanken, a school board member who represents District 2.
In a statement, Briscoe said immediate steps were taken to ensure Blanken could not serve as a substitute teacher within the district.
WVLT News has reached out to District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Grainger County Sheriff’s Department for more information.
This is a developing story.
