It was a call to a hotline that triggered an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of nine students at Northwood Elementary School in Hilton. "This child indicated that he was empowered and he found a safe adult, and the safe adult took it from there," said Stefanie Szwejbka, manager of community education at Bivona Child Advocacy Center. The school's principal, Kirk Ashton, has been charged with 11 felony counts, including first-degree sexual abuse and sexual conduct against a child.