NEWS
Former Bowie High principal arrested for failure to report child abuse
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Former Bowie High School Principal Joanne Keeler was arrested Tuesday afternoon at her office at Valley View Elementary for a violation of the Texas Family Code related to failure to report possible child abuse.
The charge stems from a sealed grand jury indictment from the August session and charges her with professional’s failure to make a required child abuse report with the intent to conceal.
The basic charge is a Class A misdemeanor, however, the intent to conceal enhancement moves it to a state jail felony that could carry a penalty of 180 days to two years in state jail and a fine up to $10,000. The indictment states the offense was Jan. 19, 2026.
Police Chief Guy Green said the abuse incident centered on a 17-year-old high school student who was the alleged victim of AI generated pictures with his face on bodies in partial stages of undress. The chief said they would be considered obscene photos.
The victim told police friends and classmates had shown the images to him several times over three days while at school, church and school events. He said when he was shown the pictures at a basketball game on Jan. 16 and he got very angry reporting the incident to several BHS staffers and ultimately speaking to Keeler.
Lt. Bob Blackburn said he received the information on Jan. 19 and the victim said he reported it to the school staff on Jan. 16. Clay Cody, assistant principal, was the one who contacted Blackburn and he had been directed by Keeler to investigate.
The principal allegedly did not make any reports of abuse which law requires must be done within 24 hours. The report also states one of the teens involved told others to delete the photos from their phones. Cody was told Jan. 17 by Keeler about the outcry from the victim.
Blackburn said the case was turned over to the Texas Rangers due to the department’s presence on the campuses and Police Chief Guy Green’s position as a trustee on the board. He noted the law on this topic was enhanced a few years ago to add a large number of professionals including educators and many others who work with children.
The Valley View ISD posted a social media statement explaining the district is aware of an incident Tuesday involving the arrest of a staff member on campus. Keeler went to work as assistant principal at Valley View Elementary, after leaving Bowie High as the last school year ended. She had worked for BISD since August 2022.
“We want to assure our students, families, staff and community that this incident does not involve and was not the result of any act involving a VVISD student or other staff member, nor was it any act occurring on VVISD property. No students were harmed or placed in any danger as a result of this incident, the circumstances leading to it or the staff member’s employment,” reads the statement.
It continues the circumstances to the arrest were brought to the attention of district administration shortly before the arrest. The district has since initiated its own internal investigation and will cooperate with law enforcement as appropriate. Due to the active investigate involving personnel there are details that cannot be disclosed.
BISD Superintendent Donna Haile issued a statement explaining the district is aware of the news of Keeler’s indictment and arrest for failure to meet reporting requirements under the Texas Family Code.
“First, we want to make sure that our community knows that no Bowie ISD employee was alleged to have engaged in abuse or neglect involving students. An investigation was initiated by local law enforcement and assisted by the Texas Rangers and District Attorney’s office. Principal Joann Keeler submitted her resignation for the following school year. As the investigation continued, the decision was made to put her on administrative leave for the remainder of the 2025-26 year. Bowie ISD has a no tolerance policy for any potential misconduct with respect to students and will take swift and appropriate action to maintain a safe environment which nurtures student learning and growth. The district is unable to make any further statements at this time so as to avoid interfering with ongoing legal proceedings.”
The former dance studio building located at U.S. Highway 81 and Theater Road was engulfed with fire around 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon 1317 Hwy. 81N. Bowie city and rural responded along with other southern county units.
AUSTIN — Summer isn’t giving up without a fight in Texas. With hot temperatures continuing into Labor Day weekend, lakes, rivers and coastal waters offer a welcome place to cool off. As you enjoy them, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds boaters not to leave safety at the ramp.
Texas Game Wardens will be on patrol throughout the holiday weekend as Labor Day typically brings increased boating traffic across the state.
“Before you launch, make sure you have the right safety equipment, boat sober and have a plan for the day,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD Law Enforcement Division director. “A life jacket only works if you wear it, and a few smart decisions before you leave the dock can help everyone get home safely.”
In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents resulting in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who died in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket.
Last Labor Day weekend, game wardens responded to seven boating incidents, two boating-related fatalities and made seven boating while intoxicated (BWI) arrests. During the 2026 Fourth of July holiday weekend, Texas Game Wardens responded to 25 boating incidents and filed 62 BWI charges, the highest number for the holiday weekend since 2019.
Don’t become another boating statistic. Before heading out this Labor Day weekend, Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to:
- Wear a life jacket. Have a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for everyone on board. Children younger than 13 must wear one while the vessel is underway.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is a significant contributing factor in boating-related deaths and doesn’t just apply to the operator. While you should never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs (BWI carries penalties similar to driving while intoxicated), we recommend that everyone boat without the booze.
- Use the engine cut-off switch. If your boat is equipped with one, use it. It’s the law.
- Slow down and pay attention. Maintain a proper lookout and use extra caution in crowded areas.
- Know the rules before you go. Boater education is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993, who operates certain vessels on Texas public waters.
- Watch the weather. Check conditions before launching and continue monitoring them throughout the day. Be prepared to get off the water if conditions become unsafe.
- Know your limits. Never exceed your vessel’s capacity.
- Have a float plan. Tell someone where you are going, who is with you and when you plan to return.
Personal watercraft operators and passengers must wear life jackets. Operators must use the engine cut-off switch, may not operate between sunset and sunrise and must follow required distance and safe-operation rules.
For more information about boating laws, required safety equipment and boater education, visit TPWD Boating and Water Safety online.
The Nocona City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 for a lengthy agenda of business.
A public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget. An ordinance adopting those budget will be considered later in the regular agenda.
The general fund budget is offered at $3,323,216, golf fund at $339,271, utility fund at $2,673,323 and both Nocona Economic Development Board type A and B budgets totaling $490,448.70.
A property tax rate of .3487 cents per $100 in property value will be considered, up from the .3287 rate in 2025.
Other financial topics include the setting of new water and sewer rates, amendments tot he 2025-26 budget, dispersing of the hotel/motel tax funds for fiscal 2025-26 and the annual review of the public funds investment policy.
Councilors will reconsider the recently approve registration program for golf carts and utility vehicles, possibly removing the $50 fee, but retaining the registration process.
Three requests from the NEDC Type B board will be considered providing a grant for Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum for the sidewalk project at $12,000; grant to Friends of Indian Oaks for renovation and updating the clubhouse and new out building at $190,000 and participate in the downtown lighting project at $20,000.
Other topics on the agenda will include: Cancelling the uncontested council election on Nov. 3, lease agreement with the Montague County Youth Fair Committee for use of the show bar, hear from Jonathan Fenoglio regarding parking along the 200 block of West Cherry and memorandum of understanding with the Helen Farabee Center for services in the county.
Two items are on tap with the council acting as the building commission: Review hearing on 310 Bowie after owner was given 90 days for clean-up and repair, fire marshal to give report and hear from Chris Smith on 309 Katy Street regarding lot size and a new house he is building.
As a final wrap-up on the budget the council will meet in called session at 8 a.m. on Sept. 9 for a public hearing on the proposed tax rate and adoption of the tax rate for maintenance and operation at .3487 cents per $100 in property value.
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