Former Lithonia High School teacher faces charges over alleged relationship with students

In DeKalb County, a former teacher and track coach at Lithonia High School has been indicted after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Marcus Lyndell Skeen of Union City, now faces charges that align with community concerns about the safety and integrity of educational environments.

The indictment, returned by a DeKalb County grand jury, charges Skeen with two counts of first-degree sexual contact by employee or agent. The charges stem from a preliminary investigation that began after the student’s mother reported the alleged sexual relationship to school officials in March 2022. According to a statement from the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, Skeen was actively employed at the high school when the alleged incidents occurred. As the community deals with these disturbing developments, we are reminded of the trust we must often place in those charged with guiding our young people.

The case, which has been brought to the public’s attention, will be assigned to a Superior Court judge and will be tried. This procedural step will serve as a precursor to setting a trial date, marking the beginning of the legal process that will attempt to shed light on the extent of the allegations against Skeen. It is during this time that the full story of accusations and defenses will unfold in a court of law, overseen by the justice system.

The announcement of the charges calls for a reflection on the responsibilities that educational professionals bear, and the critical importance of maintaining a safe space for students to not only learn, but to grow freely without fear of exploitation. Once defendant Skeen is charged, the case will move into the critical phase of the trial, where evidence will be examined, witnesses will be heard, and ultimately a verdict will be rendered by the arbitrator of justice assigned to the case. The outcomes, whatever they may be, will undoubtedly serve to vindicate or condemn, thus closing a chapter that has surely plagued the Lithonia High School community and beyond.