MARTINSVILLE – A 31-year-old former Martinsville teacher, previously charged with sending harmful material to students, now faces multiple sexual misconduct charges involving at least five minors.
Brittany Fortinberry was initially charged with two counts of dissemination of matter harmful to minors and two counts of harassment using electronic devices after former Eminence High School students reported receiving sexually explicit images and texts from her in August 2024.
Fortinberry was arrested on new charges on Friday. She is facing three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, one count of dissemination of material harmful to minors, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
These new charges stem from a report on December 10, 2024. A Martinsville woman contacted police after her 15-year-old grandson disclosed Fortinberry molested him. The teen told investigators that Fortinberry engaged in sexual acts with him and several other underage victims over several months.
In exchange for these sexual favors, Fortinberry allegedly provided the minors with vapes, mushrooms, and other items, which the victim described to investigators as “hush money.” She also reportedly took him on a trip to French Lick.
The teen told investigators there were “at least five, maybe 10” other minors involved. He believed Fortinberry’s husband was aware of the abuse.
Eminence Community School Corporation confirmed Fortinberry’s inappropriate conduct, stating they reported her to the Indiana Department of Child Services and law enforcement. She was suspended and subsequently resigned on August 23, 2024.
A jury trial for both cases is scheduled for June 25, 2025.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
