‘We followed state and federal guidelines for onboarding an employee’-Director of Schools Fields

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- Within hours yesterday, Christopher Michael “Chris” Monaghan, 47, (TOP PHOTO) found himself arrested and jobless.

Monaghan was wanted by the Orange County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office on one count of sexual battery on a child under 12. He was arrested at West Central Avenue and Hwy 25W in Campbell County around 7:15am Tuesday.

He was on his way to his job at Campbell County High School when the U.S. Marshals’ Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force arrested him. CLICK HERE for the related story.

Monaghan had been properly vetted before being hired in August of this year, according to Campbell County Director of Schools Jennifer Fields.

“A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation background check had no indications and the National Sex Offender Registry didn’t list Monaghan as a registered offender,” Fields said.

A Department of Children’s Services (DCS) Data Base check didn’t yield any results either. However, that search would only be applicable if a person had been involved with DCS due to harming a child.

“We followed state and federal guidelines for onboarding an employee,” Fields said. “We followed the protocol.”

“Prior to obtaining a job in Campbell County, Monaghan was employed in Claiborne County. He did provide references from there and nothing negative was reported,” Fields said.

Monaghan was arrested at 7:15am, according to police records. “He was immediately suspended, Fields said. By 9am, he had been terminated,” she said.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 12/20/2023-6AM)

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