I didn't see this one posted, though I might have missed the thread. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/060206dnmethebron.43e83812.html Police: Teacher had improper relationship with student 03:06 PM CDT on Thursday, June 1, 2006 By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News A first-year Hebron High School teacher and former Miss Texas contestant faces up to 20 years in jail after an 18-year-old student told police he had sex with the 25-year-old woman several times at her apartment in Austin Ranch. Amy McElhenney, who taught Spanish and was a cross country coach at the Carrollton school, is charged with having an improper relationship with a student, a second-degree felony. She was arrested on May 25, the last day of school, posted a $5,000 bond and was released. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, another student sent an anonymous note last month to Hebron’s resource police officer that indicated Ms. McElhenney’s cellphone contained “intimate” text messages to and from the 18-year-old. When police interviewed Ms. McElhenney at the school she allowed them to view her cellphone. “Messages that were on there led us to believe there was a little bit more going on between the teacher and this student,” said Carrollton police Sgt. David Sponhour. Ms. McElhenney could not be reached for comment. The student’s identity was not released. A Carrollton police officer said in an affidavit he found the messages to “constitute a flirtatious and endearing relationship” between Ms. McElhenney and the student. While Ms. McElhenney denied having a physical or sexual relationship with the teen, she did tell police she felt their relationship was inappropriate. When interviewed at home, however, the student gave police a written statement in which he said he and Ms. McElhenney had sex on “numerous occasions” at her apartment. He told police their alleged relationship began in February. The Lewisville school district placed the woman on paid administrative leave May 11. In March she turned in a resignation form that went into effect May 25. Officials said she indicated she was not returning to Hebron because she was taking a teaching position in another district, though they were unclear on what district that is. School officials said they alerted the state certification board of the investigation and her arrest. According to the Miss Texas Web site, Ms. McElhenney competed in the scholarship pageant in 2002 as Miss Bexar County when she was a Spanish and education major at The University of Texas at Austin. I wasn't aware that this sort of relationship was still a 2nd Degree Felony even if the student was of age, though I suppose the kid might not have been 18 when it started (if there was actual sexual contact)... though now that I think about it, I don't know what the age of consent in Texas is.
i think its simply illegal for a school employee to have relations with the students no matter what the age. someone correct me if i'm wrong.
That's what the article would lead me to believe, as well, which is something I wasn't aware of if that is the case.
This is dumb, if he was 18 where is the foul? I'd say it is worthy of her getting fired, but not jail time.
The age of consent in Texas is 17, I think. But, it doesn't matter with a teacher-student relationship. Everyone, don't worry. She'll get nothing near 20 years in prison. Even if she's guilty, she'll get probation at worst. lol.
this is why I love myspace... http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=32959068 who will get to see her profile first? she has toadd you as a friend... let the race begin
Reversing the sexes doesn't change my opinion in this case. If an 18 year-old (or 17 year-old) can be trusted to make decisions in pretty much any other regard, I don't think they need to be protected when it comes to teachers having sex with them... at least not to the extent of making it a 2nd Degree Felony (I could see the employer having rules against it that would lead to termination). It seems to me that if this law is on the books, then it needs to be the same for anyone who holds a position of power over anyone else rather than just teachers (if, in fact, it is just teachers). I do admit that it seems like public perception often seems more lenient toward female teachers who have relations with young male students. But the whole being above the age of consent changes it for me in this particular instance.
I agree. They even say women mature faster than men and I STILL think it's more acceptable and natural. This law is r****ded though and she shouldn't have to face any legal consequences. The really funny thing is you never see the opposite kind of case posted as a thread here. I wonder why? What do the female osters here think on the issue?
