BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) – An alarming admission from a former Shelby County educator is sending shock waves through the Alabaster community. A former elementary school teacher told police he molested dozens of young students during his career. 49-year old Daniel Acker retired from teaching after 25 years, but then he worked part time for the Shelby County School District as a bus driver, up until this week. The investigation started last week when a former student of Acker's filed a complaint claiming Acker molested her inside his fourth grade classroom. Acker admitted he molested the child, as well as, more than 20 other young female students during his career at Thompson Elementary School, Creek View Elementary and Thompson Intermediate Schools. Acker is charged with three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree for the first victim, but police anticipate more charges as other victims step forward. The Shelby County School Board is making plans for students and faculty. “It is heartbreaking for us to hear this and for the victims, we will be developing plans for the safety of our students. The safety of our students is of the utmost importance and the Shelby County School System will continue to do that,” Superintendent Randy Fuller says. If you have any information regarding the suspect or any alleged victims, please call the Alabaster Police department at 205-663-7401.
