St. Helens, Oregon school principal Katy Wagner ordered to have no contact with Mark Collins, Eric Stearns 

Dr. Kathryn “Katy” M. Wagner, 45, is the principal of St. Helens High School (SHHS) in St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon, United States. Mark Collins, 64, of Beaverton, Washington County, Oregon is a former SHHS teacher while Eric Stearns, 36, of St. Helens is currently a choir teacher at the school.

In October 2017, Wagner became the SHHS principal. She is accused of failing to report child abuse as a school administrator.

In honor of National Principals Month, we are highlighting our school district principals who play a pivotal role in shaping our students’ futures. Today’s feature is Katy Wagner, Principal at St. Helens High School.#learn, connect, commit pic.twitter.com/f2iobGmvPH

— St. Helens School District (@StHelensSD) October 21, 2024

Why were Mark Collins and Eric Stearns arrested?

In October 2024, the St. Helens Police Department started investigating allegations of historical sexual abuse that occurred at SHHS involving Collins and Stearns. Detectives obtained a subpoena for records related to the allegations and identified the victims, which include former SHHS students.

After the completed investigation was forwarded to the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, Stearns was indicted for third-degree sexual abuse and seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse and Collins was indicted for second-degree attempted sexual abuse and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse. On November 12, 2024, they were both arrested and booked into the the Columbia County Jail in St. Helens.

On November 26, 2024, Wagner turned herself in to the same jail. On November 27, 2024, she was arraigned in Columbia County Circuit Court before Judge Denise E. Kerringer.

Represented by Jeffrey M. Jones, Wagner pleaded not guilty to two counts each of first-degree criminal mistreatment, first-degree official misconduct and second-degree official misconduct. She was released and prohibited from being employed in an educational setting, occupying roles in which she is a mandatory reporter and having contact with Collins and Stearns and the two men’s alleged victims and their families.

The St. Helens Police Department has credited SHHS alumnus Doug Weaver, 36, for his role in bringing forth the reports that led to the investigation and charges against Collins and Stearns. Weaver, who graduated from the school in 2007, and around 35 other people attended Wagner’s arraignment.

Anyone with information about the sexual abuse allegations against Mark Collins and Eric Stearns are asked to contact St. Helens Police Department detectives at 503-397-1521.