HORNELL, N.Y. (WENY) -- All charges have been dropped against a Hornell High School assistant principal by a Steuben County Court the Hornell City School District announced today. Eli Marcus had been charged with ten counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the previous spring following an investigation into the alleged searching of students for contraband.

"The Board of Education has been advised, as expected, that all the charges on which Assistant Principal Marcus was indicted last June have been dismissed by the Steuben County Court. We are glad to have this part of the legal process behind us, so that we can remain fully focused on the education of our students," said Carol Eaton, Hornell City School District secretary to the superintendent. 

The Failing to Make a Required Report charge was based on allegations from October 2021. Marcus and Hornell City School District Jeremy Palotti were both accused of failing to report or direct a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment of a child, as a mandate reporter.

The charges against Palotti had already been dismissed this past December. According to Eaton, with the charges now dismissed, the school will begin an internal investigation run by someone outside the school district. 

"In light of the manner in which this claim was brought forward, and in respecting the criminal investigative process, the district was advised not to investigate these claims internally. With the criminal piece behind us, the district is now engaged in that process with an independent entity," Eaton said in a prepared statement. 

No word on who would run the investigation or how long it is expected to take. The school district has said they will have no further comment at this time.