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Third grade teacher arrested in connection to double homicide

SYRACUSE, Ind. (WANE) – Police in Kosciusko County executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence south of Syracuse and arrested a woman on a charge of Assisting a Criminal in connection with the shooting deaths of Tara Thornburg and Joshua Knisley back on Feb. 19.

Joan DeHart, 49, is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail with no bond. She has been placed on administrative leave from her job as a third grade teacher at Milford Elementary.

Wawasee Community School Corporation Superintendent Tom Edington sent out the following statement on the arrest of DeHart

“Mrs. DeHart is a teacher at Wawasee Community School Corporation.  Pending the outcome of the present legal situation, she has been placed on administrative leave.  Our corporation is thinking of those that are in need today.  This week is ISTEP testing week at our schools.  We respectfully ask that media remain away from our schools during this week of testing.  This will ensure our student environment remains secure.”

Brandon T. Woody is believed to have shot both Thornburg and Knisley in the head at their home in Syracuse. He was captured in Mishawaka, Indiana on the same day of the shootings.

The news release from Syracuse Police Chief Anthony W. Ciriello announcing the arrest of DeHart did not specifically indicate how she allegedly helped Woody.