Mike Henning, principal of Christ Alone Lutheran School in Thiensville, Wisconsin, was charged on January 2, 2026, with one misdemeanor count of failing to report child abuse. Prosecutors in Ozaukee County allege Henning knew for roughly a year that a teacher at his school was engaging in inappropriate conduct with students and never contacted law enforcement or child protective services. The charge carries up to $1,000 in fines, six months in jail, or both.1Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Principal Charged With Failing to Report Child Abuse
What the Complaint Says Henning Knew
According to the criminal complaint, a parent first approached Henning in December 2023 to raise concerns that teacher Daniel Rick was making students sit on his lap. Henning spoke to Rick about it but did not report anything to authorities.2Spectrum News 1. Christ Alone Lutheran School Principal Mike Henning Charges
At least two more parents later brought concerns to Henning and to church leaders, describing Rick rubbing students’ backs, stroking their hair, and having children lie in a dark room. One parent pulled their child from the school because the behavior continued.2Spectrum News 1. Christ Alone Lutheran School Principal Mike Henning Charges
Prosecutors said Henning dismissed the complaints as a “he said, she said” situation and called Rick’s conduct “dumb mistakes.”3TMJ4. Principal Charged With Failing to Report Child Abuse at Thiensville Lutheran School He asked Rick to resign only after the school learned Rick had told children not to tell their parents about the conduct.4Bishop Accountability. Principal Charged With Failing to Report Child Abuse at Thiensville Lutheran School The matter did not reach police until November 2025, when child protective services made a report to the Thiensville Police Department.5WISN. Thiensville Teacher Accused of Child Enticement
The Teacher’s Conduct Behind the Charge
The underlying case involves Daniel Rick, 36, a teacher and athletic director at Christ Alone. In January 2025, Rick was charged in Ozaukee County with child enticement, a Class D felony, and exposing intimate parts to a child, a Class I felony.6WTMJ. Criminal Complaint – Rick, Daniel H.
The complaint against Rick alleged he picked “favorite” boy students each year and engaged in a pattern of inappropriate physical contact, including making students sit on his lap, rubbing their backs, stroking their hair, and having children lie down in a dark room while he touched them.2Spectrum News 1. Christ Alone Lutheran School Principal Mike Henning Charges Other allegations included touching students on the buttocks, kissing them on the forehead, and pulling a boy’s pants down.4Bishop Accountability. Principal Charged With Failing to Report Child Abuse at Thiensville Lutheran School
Rick pleaded guilty in January 2026 to exposing intimate parts to a child. The enticement count was dismissed and read in, allowing the judge to consider it at sentencing. On April 7, 2026, Rick was sentenced to one and a half years in prison followed by two years of extended supervision.7Fox 6 Now. Child Sex Crime Former Teacher Athletic Director Sentenced
What Wisconsin Law Required
Under Wisconsin’s mandatory reporting statute, school employees must immediately contact the county department of children and families or local law enforcement whenever they have “reasonable cause to suspect” that a child has been abused or neglected. Proof is not required; suspicion alone triggers the duty.8Wisconsin State Bar. Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse
An intentional violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, up to six months in jail, or both. The statute does not give victims or families a private right to sue a mandated reporter who fails to report, though other civil claims under tort law may exist.8Wisconsin State Bar. Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse
Where the Case Stands
Henning, 52, of Mequon, was charged in Ozaukee County Circuit Court under case number 2026CM000001. His initial appearance was scheduled for January 20, 2026.1Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Principal Charged With Failing to Report Child Abuse
Christ Alone Lutheran School placed Henning on administrative leave after the charge was filed. In a letter to families, Pastor Pat Brown and Board Chair Geoffrey Steinbrenner confirmed the misdemeanor case and said the school was working with district leadership on continuity for staff and students and remained “focused on providing a safe and supportive learning environment.”2Spectrum News 1. Christ Alone Lutheran School Principal Mike Henning Charges As of the most recent reporting, no civil lawsuits by parents against the school have been publicly disclosed, and the criminal case against Henning remained pending.