Former principal jailed for failing to report child abuse

A former principal at a private Thiensville school has been sentenced after being convicted of failing to report child abuse in connection to the case of a former teacher at the school.

Michael Henning, who was principal of Christ Alone Lutheran School, pleaded no contest July 15 in Ozaukee County Circuit Court to one count of failing to report child abuse. Circuit Judge Adam Gerol sentenced him to 30 days in jail starting July 22, according to online court records.

Henning was charged in January with one misdemeanor count of failing to report child abuse related to the case of Daniel Rick.

A former teacher at the school, Rick was charged in January 2025 with one felony count of child enticement and one felony count of exposing his private areas to a child.

Rick pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal in January to exposing his private areas to a child; the charge of child enticement was dismissed. Rick was sentenced in April to 1½ years in state prison and two years of extended supervision. Rick also received credit for 76 days in jail he had already served and was ordered to register as a sex offender for 15 years, according to online court records.

The criminal complaint against Henning alleged that he failed to address allegations that parents made accusing Rick of inappropriate behavior toward children. One of those parents complained to Henning several times between December 2023 and January 2024 about Rick having inappropriate contact with her child, including having the child sit on Rick’s lap.

In November 2024, parents took their complaints to the parish administrator and church pastors. Rick admitted to the conduct to church leadership later that month, the complaint said.

When he spoke to police in December 2025, Henning said the lap sitting stopped, to his knowledge, after he spoke to Rick in January 2024. He also admitted to not following up with one of the parents.

He also said he told church leadership about concerns a mother of one of the children raised but said even after learning about additional information following an internal church investigation that he would not report the allegations to authorities. The criminal complaint did not specify why Henning would not make a report despite state law requiring him to do so.

State law says school administrators are mandated reporters who must report suspected child abuse to authorities, whether law enforcement or child welfare agencies.

Craig Powell, who’s listed as Henning’s attorney, was not immediately available for comment when a reporter called his law office.

Christ Alone Lutheran School and Church parish administrator Geoff Grossman said in an email to a reporter July 19 that Henning was put on administrative leave Jan. 3; he submitted his resignation Jan. 18. Paul Berger was named the school’s interim principal two days later.

“At this time, we are limited in any further information we can share due to the privacy and legal considerations of Mr. Henning, Christ Alone, and others involved in the case,” Grossman said. He also said Christ Alone “has worked closely with legal counsel with regard to this matter.”

“Please be assured that our school remains focused on providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. The administrative team of Christ Alone is working closely with district leadership to ensure continuity and support for our staff and students. We continue to pray for all involved in this matter. We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate this situation,” he said.