Provo teacher accused of sex abuse

PROVO — Felony sex-abuse charges were filed Monday against a Provo schoolteacher who is accused of having sex with a student 15 years ago.

Roselyn Luke, 46, is charged in 4th District Court with four first-degree felonies, including two counts of rape of a child and two counts of sodomy upon a child. She also faces two second-degree felony charges of sexual abuse of a child.

Luke, who taught sixth grade at Sunset View Elementary School, is accused in court documents of starting a relationship with a 12-year-old boy during the 1991-92 school year.

The Utah County Attorney's Office can prosecute the case because of previous changes to laws governing Utah's statute of limitations — the time frame allowed for prosecution.

The clock doesn't start running on such charges until the abuse is reported, said Deputy Utah County Attorney Dave Sturgill. After allegations are reported, government prosecutors then have four years to file charges.

The male victim — now 27 — lives in Utah County and approached elementary school administrators Aug. 19 with the allegations of abuse during his sixth-grade year in Luke's class, said Greg Hudnall, student services director for the Provo School District

The information was immediately turned over to Provo police, Hudnall said.

Luke was terminated from her teaching job Thursday.

"We have a strict code of expectations," Hudnall said. "We're quite specific with our level of trust that a teacher has."

In Hudnall's 23 years in the district, this is the first time he can recall a female teacher in the Provo District being charged with abusing a student.

Luke was hired by the district in 1982, Hudnall said.

"She was a (24)-year veteran," Hudnall said. "She was well-respected by her peers and parents."

A summons to appear in court will be sent to Luke. She will not be arrested.

Luke did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

Provo Police Capt. Rick Healey said the abuse happened during the school year and summer at different places. He declined comment on whether the abuse occurred in a classroom or on school premises.

Healey also couldn't comment on why the individual chose to come forward now with the allegations.

School officials said other former students have not made any allegations against Luke.