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[Coins]

I did a few searches, sorry if this has been posted.

http://www.kmov.com/home/Teacher-charged-with-having-sex-with-student-multiple-times-in-hotels-161826655.html

FORT WORTH – A North Texas teacher now faces criminal charges after police say she had a months-long affair with one of her students.

Fort Worth police officers arrested Rachelle Heenan, 34, at her Haslet home Thursday afternoon. She’s accused of having an improper relationship with an 18-year-old male student at her school, Hollenstein Career and Technology Center.

Heenan was released from jail Friday morning after posting a $10,000 bond.

Fort Worth police say Heenan began texting the teenager in February. The next month, they met in Heenan’s car in the parking lot of a private gym in Fort Worth, officers say.

“That ultimately led to physical contact -- kissing between the victim and suspect,” said Sgt. Pedro Criado with the Fort Worth Police Department. “Sometime in March, the victim and the suspect met at a local hotel here in Fort Worth and had sex for the first time.”

Criado said the sexual encounters continued for several months at various hotels until rumors started circulating at the school, tipping off administrators to the alleged affair.

“At that point, school officials became concerned,” Criado said.

Heenan had been teaching with the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District since 2004 at Boswell High School. She started teaching forensic science at the district’s technology center last August.

The district said Heenan was placed on paid administrative leave on May 21, soon after the accusations first surfaced.

“We do not have reason to believe multiple students are involved,” wrote the district’s spokesperson, Kristin Courtney, in a statement to News 8.

Heenan’s page on the school’s website says she has been married for ten years and has two young children.

Soon after arriving at the school, she wrote that she “cannot wait to show the kids all the cool things in forensics… In my spare time, I am usually spending time with my family, hunting or shopping.”

Heenan could not be reached for comment. No one answered the door at her Haslet home on Friday.

Even though the alleged victim in this case is legally an adult, Texas law was strengthened in 2003 to outlaw sexual relationships between teachers and students, even if it’s among consenting adults.

Improper relationship between educators and students is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Little fucking harsh Id say. I could see her getting fired, but jail time? WTF.

 

[mugurumakensei]

She knew the law and obligatory "Nice!"

 

[darthbob]

What's the issue here? They're two LEGAL adults.

 

[bengraven]

I wonder if this law applies to college students as well.

 

[Wafflecakes]

I have no problem with this.

(Was she just a teacher at the school or was she HIS teacher? This is important. Also when did relationship start?)

 

[NathanMcMahon]

Texas trying to take the crazy reins from Florida

 

[Angry Grimace]

She knew the law and obligatory "Nice!"

Everyone constructively knows every law.

 

[Ferrio]

Dirty pedo, get her off the streets.

 

[Previous]

Dammit it florid- oh wait

 

[shira]

innapropriate.gif

 

[Steelrain]

What's the issue here? They're two LEGAL adults.

The article says that the issue is their teacher/student relationship.

 

[drspeedy]

Tell me again why law doesn't restrict this behavior between politicians and eligible voters?

 

[CountAntonius]

Should be fired not arrested. He is of age.

 

[The Technomancer]

Wrong? Yes. Illegal? No

 

[Count Dookkake]

As the law is, this is statutory rape. She thought she was being smart, but better luck next time.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Texas law was strengthened in 2003 to outlaw sexual relationships between teachers and students, even if it’s among consenting adults.

Bah.

 

[Replicant]

Obligatory:

 

[Wafflecakes]

On second thought. 100% fine with her getting fired. Not sure about the jail though.

 

[Officerrob]

She should be fired, but that shouldn't be a crime. That Texas law is a complete joke

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

Should be fired not arrested. He is of age.

This is my thought. You don't want to let her get off with nothing because he still is in high school but he is 18. A fine or firing would be more appropriate.

Spoiler

would

 

[Vyroxis]

The law is the law. Consenting adults or not, they have to follow it. What I'm wondering is the reasoning behind the law. Because they are, after all, consenting adults.

 

[Puckmarin]

I wonder if this law applies to college students as well.

I was just wondering that...

As for the case at hand, she knew the law. Regardless of age, she's still a teacher and he's still a student.

Wait until the day after graduation.

 

[The Technomancer]

The law is the law. Consenting adults or not, they have to follow it. What I'm wondering is the reasoning behind the law. Because they are, after all, consenting adults.

Position of power and all that. Shouldn't really be illegal if they're adults, but if they're going to then they might as well extend it to employee-employer relationships as well. That would go over really well.

 

[Devolution]

Power dynamics tend to come into play in these kinds of cases. She abused her authority.

 

[Vermillion]

She should be fired, but that shouldn't be a crime. That Texas law is a complete joke

Mm. The whole purpose of the teacher/student thing, I imagine, is to keep people from abusing their influence, but if both are legally adults it shouldn't be much of a problem.

On the other hand, there could be hints that a student is getting treated better or being blackmailed if it's made perfectly acceptable for a teacher and student to have sex (which isn't as much of a problem if the teacher doesn't teach the student's class).

I've not been able to decide yet...

 

[Kusagari]

She should be fired.

Being arrested for fucking a legal adult is absurd and a joke of a law.

 

[Devolution]

Mm. The whole purpose of the teacher/student thing, I imagine, is to keep people from abusing their influence, but if both are legally adults it shouldn't be much of a problem.

On the other hand, there could be hints that a student is getting treated better or being blackmailed if it's made perfectly acceptable for a teacher and student to have sex (which isn't as much of a problem if the teacher doesn't teach the student's class).

I've not been able to decide yet...

Are we also assured this is their first instance of sex or meeting? Something really rubs me the wrong way even if they waited till he was 18 if this woman is basically grooming minors in her classes/school to be her lovers.

 

[el retorno]

Is this kinda law prohibiting this constitutional?

I mean I have no problem with her getting fired from her job but going to jail for having sex with another adult seems a bit much.

 

[Pollux]

I'm OK with this... doesn't matter that they were both legally adults she was in a position of authority and shouldn't have done it.

 

[EdibleExplosives]

She should be fired, but sending her to prison is ridiculous.

 

[Wafflecakes]

Is this kinda law prohibiting this constitutional?

100% Yes

Nothing in the constitution touches the issue really.

 

[NathanMcMahon]

100% Yes

Nothing in the constitution touches the issue really.

So, it's made it's way through the Supreme Court?

 

[Evlar]

I'm OK with this... doesn't matter that they were both legally adults she was in a position of authority and shouldn't have done it.

By this logic, police officers should be celibate.

 

[Coins]

Are we also assured this is their first instance of sex or meeting? Something really rubs me the wrong way even if they waited till he was 18 if this woman is basically grooming minors in her classes/school to be her lovers.

Geeez. I wish I had been being groomed for sex with a hot teacher when I was 17.

 

[Half and half]

This story is icky.

 

[el retorno]

100% Yes

Nothing in the constitution touches the issue really.

I asked because things like privacy laws would seem to cover this. I mean what is different in this case than Lawrence v. Texas.

 

[Wafflecakes]

So, it's made it's way through the Supreme Court?

The court would never hear it because there is no constitutional basis. Its a states thing.

 

[Officerrob]

Power dynamics tend to come into play in these kinds of cases. She abused her authority.

And should be fired, that's all

 

[bigmakattack]

I really don't understand how her being in a position of authority should make this illegal just cause it's her student. They are both legal so nothing wrong there, but regardless she should be fired.

 

[Vicetrailia]

Don't have sex with adults if you can't do time.

Honestly Texas is ridiculous here.

 

[Kyoufu]

I don't get the "authority abuse" argument here.

I don't see what she did that demands up to 20 years jail time........

 

[Devolution]

By this logic, police officers should be celibate.

Nope. Not the same.

Geeez. I wish I had been being groomed for sex with a hot teacher when I was 17.

Dude. Gross.


No she shouldn't just be fired. Having an inappropriate relationship with a minor while you're are an authority figure in their life is predatory. Even if she waited till he was technically legal, it's predatory what she was doing. If she were a man this wouldn't even be up for debate.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

By this logic, police officers should be celibate.

I am pretty sure if you have a relationship with one of your suspects, you are going to get into some sort of trouble.

 

[Evlar]

Nope. Not the same.

Because...

 

[Wafflecakes]

I asked because things like privacy laws would seem to cover this. I mean what is different in this case than Lawrence v. Texas.

States have long been allowed the choose who can have sex and who can't. Hence why consent ages are different all over the US.

 

[NathanMcMahon]

The court would never hear it because there is no constitutional basis. Its a states thing.

I don't believe that. They've weighed in on consenting adults engaging in sexual acts before. This will be challenged due to this I'm betting and the dumb law will be overturned

 

[Fury Sense]

Next time don't get caught.

 

[blixa]

simply ridiculous & backwards.
jail time is not the answer.

 

[Coins]

I am pretty sure if you have a relationship with one of your suspects, you are going to get into some sort of trouble.

Thats totally different. Fucking a suspect could screw up a trial which is a million times more serious than what happened here.

 

[suzu]

Some of you really don't see a problem with a teacher dating/sleeping with a student from the same school? :| Wtf.

Her being fired is totally fine.