A Cobb County educator who splits time between an elementary classroom and the Allatoona High football field is now at the center of a criminal investigation, after his weekend arrest on an incest charge involving an alleged minor victim. The case has rattled families in Allatoona and East Cobb, even as officials stress that the alleged conduct happened off campus and is being handled by the Cobb County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.
Arrest and allegations
Police and jail records identify the suspect as 37-year-old Mareno Smith of Acworth. Detectives say they secured arrest warrants before taking him into custody, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Local records and reporting indicate Smith is accused in an incident involving a minor and faces a single felony count of incest. A witness told investigators they walked in on the alleged act early Sunday morning, East Cobb News reported. Authorities have not publicly identified the alleged victim.
School response
The Cobb County School District has told local media that the arrest stems from alleged personal, off-campus conduct and is not tied to any district-run program or activity, WSB-TV reports. Allatoona High’s principal notified families that the employee will not be on campus while the investigation is underway. Local team rosters list Smith as an assistant football coach. District officials say the human resources office will conduct its own review alongside the criminal case.
Investigation and next steps
Detectives with the Cobb County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit say they are still gathering information and coordinating with school officials as the case moves forward, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Investigators obtained warrants as part of the probe before taking Smith into custody. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Special Victims Unit at 770-801-3470.
Legal matters
Smith has been charged with a felony-level offense and remains in custody, and he is legally presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court. The Cobb County School District said it will apply “all applicable law and District policy” as the legal process continues, according to East Cobb News.
