Two Plead in Stephens Co. Superior Court

Two former Stephens County school system employees plead guilty to charges involving crimes against minors.

First, 51-year-old Robert Anthony Daniel pleaded guilty to one count of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree on Monday.

He entered what is called an “Alford plea.”

Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges that enough evidence may exist for a conviction.

Daniel was the former girls’ basketball coach at Stephens County High School and a former teacher at Stephens County Middle School.

Daniel received a sentence of 10 years probation and 180 days in a detention center. He must also pay a $1,500 fine and register as a sex offender.

He was arrested in January in connection to alleged incidents that occurred between 2005 and 2011 and were reported to authorities last November.

Meanwhile, 52-year-old Keith Allen Foster of Toccoa pleaded guilty last week to one count of Child Molestation and one count of Incest.

Foster last worked as a Physical Education teacher at the Stephens County Middle School’s Fifth Grade Academy.

He was arrested last November on the charges, which authorities say involved a relative.

Under the sentence entered into under the guilty plea, Foster received a 10-year prison sentence to be followed by 20 years of probation.

He must also register as a sex offender.

Officials say neither of the incidents leading to these charges involved the Stephens County school system itself.