Indiana Teacher Faces New Charges in Disturbing Child Abuse Case

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A married teacher in Indiana is facing additional charges in a shocking child abuse case involving multiple teenage victims. Brittany Fortinberry, 31, has been accused of making children as young as 13 wear “Scream” masks during sexual encounters, bringing the total number of juvenile accusers to six as of Friday.

Prosecutors are preparing to bring 24 new felony charges against Fortinberry in an upcoming court hearing scheduled for April 3, raising her total to 29 criminal counts. The charges include five counts of level-one child molestation, sexual misconduct with a minor, dissemination of matter harmful to minors, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Morgan County Prosecutor Steven Sonnega indicated that if Fortinberry is convicted on the child molestation charges, she could face a sentence ranging from 20 to 40 years for each count. “If the judge orders the sentences to run consecutively, it is likely that she will spend the rest of her life in prison,” Sonnega said.

The alleged incidents reportedly took place at two different schools in Morgan County in 2024. One victim stated that Fortinberry spent $600 on him and several boys, instructing them to wear horror movie masks while engaging in sexual activities.

Authorities claim that Fortinberry would invite the teenagers to her home, provide them with drugs, and then engage in sexual acts after putting her own children to bed. In a particularly alarming accusation, she reportedly sexually assaulted a teenager she had hired to babysit.

Charges highlight disturbing details, including allegations that Fortinberry threatened to kill herself if her victims disclosed the abuse. The charges state that she offered boys between $100 and $800 in exchange for explicit photos and frequently sent them nude images of herself.

One victim recounted that when he refused to engage in sexual activities with her, she would allegedly coerce him by saying, “Just let it happen.” Last month, Fortinberry defended her actions, attributing her behaviors to a drastic weight loss of 150 pounds.

The case has garnered considerable attention, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Fortinberry’s alleged actions. Prosecutors remain committed to holding her accountable for the alleged exploitation of vulnerable minors.