Runaway foster child reveals retired principal’s history of sex abuse, NC cops say
A retired principal serving as a foster parent is facing a series of child abuse charges after multiple victims came forward to report sex assaults in his home, according to investigators in North Carolina.
The accusations came to light in August, when a foster child fled Paul Nelson Locklear’s home in Pembroke, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said in a Dec. 21 news release. Pembroke is about a 100-mile drive southwest from Raleigh.
“A juvenile who was placed in the suspect’s foster care ran away ... and contacted the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. Information received led to allegations of unlawful sexual activity, and the discovery of additional victims and allegations dating back to 2022,” the sheriff’s office said.
Locklear, 53, is a retired Robeson County principal and currently teaches with Darlington County Public Schools in South Carolina, officials said.
The Darlington County Public Schools issued a statement noting Locklear worked at Darlington Middle School until district officials were made aware of the charges.
“That individual is no longer employed by the school district. DCSD will cooperate fully with Robeson County law enforcement in their investigations. Please direct all further inquiries to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office,” a school district official told McClatchy News.
He served as principal of St. Pauls Middle School in Robeson County until 2021, the Robesonian reports.
Deputies arrested Locklear in neighboring Columbus County and his bond was set at $2 million, the sheriff’s office said. He is charged with:
- One count of sexual activity by a substitute parent
- One count of attempted sexual activity by a substitute parent
- Three counts of indecent liberties with a minor
- One count of child abuse sexual act
- Nine counts of crimes against nature
- Four counts of misdemeanor sexual battery
This story was originally published December 23, 2024 at 7:42 AM with the headline "Runaway foster child reveals retired principal’s history of sex abuse, NC cops say."