10/07/2026
** Information Release **
In collaboration with the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Albemarle County Police Department has made arrests of three current or former Albemarle County Public School administrators for failure to comply with Virginia’s mandatory child-abuse reporting law. After a months-long investigation, allegations were presented to members of the Grand Jury on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Virginia Code § 63.2-1509 requires teachers and other school employees who, in their professional or official capacity, have reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected to make a timely report to the appropriate child-protective authorities.
Upon hearing all the facts and evidence, the Grand Jury indicted each individual with three separate failures to report. For each defendant, two of the charges are Class 1 misdemeanors (punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500) alleging a knowing and intentional failure to report information evidencing aggravated sexual battery. The final charge for each defendant alleges a separate failure to make a report required by Virginia law and carries a maximum fine of $500.
The individuals charged are:
• Joseph Downes McCauley of Charlottesville, VA (former Principal of Hollymead Elementary School)
• Jhonce Brodie Downs of Crozet, VA (Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer)
• Erin Eileen Stone of Charlottesville, VA (Title IX Coordinator)
The court issued personal recognizance bonds for all three individuals.
ACPD has worked closely with Child Protective Services and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office to bring these charges.
“The Albemarle County Police Department remains committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our victims, especially when they are children. These arrests reflect our unwavering dedication to accountability while conducting thorough investigations,” stated Albemarle County Police Department's Major Camille Stewart.
During the course of the investigation, detectives received information indicating that some teachers and school staff may be hesitant to report suspected child abuse or neglect because they fear that reporting may subject them to adverse disciplinary action. Teachers and school employees should not let fear of retaliation prevent them from making reports concerning the safety of children.
Any teacher or staff member with information concerning past or current suspected child abuse or neglect is encouraged to report those concerns directly to Child Protective Services by calling 434-972-4010 or the statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-552-7096. Reports may be made directly to the appropriate authorities and do not need to be routed through a supervisor or school administrator.
The cases are now pending in the Albemarle County Circuit Court, and further comments, if any, will be limited to procedural and case status updates.
An indictment is a formal accusation of a crime and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
