Malad High School coach charged with sexual abuse of a minor

A former Malad High School coach was charged and arrested for sexual abuse with of a minor last week. Her bond was set at $25,000.

Amanda Jo Ward, 35, of Malad, was charged with sexual battery of the minor.

Capt. Karen Hatch with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation launched back in May soon after Ward was dismissed from the school.

Due to a conflict of interest, the case was turned over to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office since Ward’s mother works for the Oneida County Probation Department.

The investigation against Ward is ongoing. Hatch said there’s a possibility of other victims coming forward, but none have as of yet.

District Spokeswoman Johanna Green said that Ward coached at the high school for a year. And has also worked as an elementary school aide for Oneida School District 351.

Green didn’t mention if Ward’s employment in the district was officially terminated, but called it a “personnel issue.”

Ward remains in jail in Bannock County.

In the past three months, this is the second time a local female coach has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor.