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AUSTIN, Texas – March 31, 2026 – The ������ (TEA) today announced that Israel Demello, a former Sanger Independent School District police officer, has been formally placed on the This action, taken under the authority of the TEA’s Office of Inspector General for Educator Misconduct, permanently bars Demello from employment in Texas schools.

According to court records, Demello was arrested on charges including Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student, Sexual Assault of a Child, Sexual Performance by a Child and Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact. All charges are classified as second-degree felonies.

“The integrity of our schools depends on the trust placed in every adult who serves students,” said Inspector General for Educator Misconduct Levi Fuller. “When that trust is violated, particularly in cases involving exploitation or abuse of a student, we act decisively. This placement sends a clear and unequivocal message: misconduct will not be tolerated in any form, and those who engage in it will be removed from Texas schools permanently.”

The investigation leading to this action was conducted in coordination with the Sanger Independent School District and the Sanger Police Department in Denton County.  

The ������ will continue to act swiftly and decisively to safeguard students and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.  

“Students deserve safe environments where they can learn without fear of exploitation,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “Any individual who abuses their position of authority to harm a student has no place in Texas schools. We will use every tool available to ensure that those who commit such acts are held accountable and prevented from re-entering any school system.”

The Do Not Hire Registry is a statewide safeguard that prevents individuals with substantiated histories of misconduct from obtaining employment in Texas schools. Placement on the Do Not Hire Registry is among the most serious administrative actions TEA can take, and school systems are required to consult the registry prior to hiring any employee.

Professionals are legally required to report suspected child abuse to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or law enforcement if they have reason to believe a child has been abused (as defined by Texas Family Code §261.001). As a result of Senate Bill 571, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, the required timeframe to report suspected child abuse was reduced from 48 hours to 24 hours after first suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected.  

TEA works with DFPS, law enforcement agencies and district attorneys to investigate allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct. If TEA receives a public complaint regarding these issues, it reports it to DFPS.

The TEA urges any individual with information regarding educator or school employee misconduct to report it immediately to the agency and local law enforcement.

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