COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two students were charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting a mentally disabled girl in a high school auditorium. The former principal was charged with failing to notify police.

The case generated criticism because school officials did not immediately report the allegations to police and said they feared the negative media attention if they did.

The 16-year-old girl told a teacher at Mifflin High School that she had been dragged into the auditorium March 9 and forced to perform oral sex on at least two boys as other students watched and one boy videotaped, according to investigators.

Two boys were charged in juvenile court with rape, kidnapping and sexual battery. Regina Crenshaw, who was removed as principal over the incident, was charged with failing to call police. Crenshaw said Wednesday she did not break the law, because the girl’s father called police. “I did not expect any criminal charges to be put on me. This came as a total surprise, total shock, and is absolutely unbelievable,” she said.

If convicted, she could get anything from probation to 30 days in jail.

Authorities said an assistant principal at the school warned the girl’s father not to call 911 because he did not want to alert the news media. The girl’s father ignored the request.

The school district has moved to fire Crenshaw. Three assistant principals at the school were suspended and reassigned.