Former Cass Lake-Bena school staffer pleads not guilty to sex with student

CASS LAKE—A former paraprofessional at Cass Lake-Bena High School pleaded not guilty to criminal sexual conduct and indecent exposure charges Monday in Cass County District Court.

Cara Donnell, 29, of Cass Lake is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old male high school student at the school in 2014. Donnell pleaded not guilty Monday to one count each of first-, second-, third- and fourth-degree felony level criminal sexual conduct charges, one gross misdemeanor fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge and one count of gross misdemeanor indecent exposure.

The school superintendent has declined comment on Donnell's employment status with Cass Lake-Bena Schools, however, when the Pioneer called Donnell's previous work number, a staff member said Donnell does not work at the school. Donnell is scheduled to appear in Cass County District Court for a pretrial hearing Jan. 25.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/3913528-former-cass-lake-bena-school-staffer-pleads-not-guilty-sex-student