Teacher appears in court on sex charges

A popular first-grade teacher accused of molesting children in his classroom made his first court appearance Monday.

Laine Hall, 36, was charged last week in 3rd District Court with three counts of sex abuse of a child, all first-degree felonies. Hall, a first-grade teacher at Rosamond Elementary School, 12195 S. 1975 West, Riverton, is accused of putting his hand down the pants of three of his female students, according to court documents.

During his initial court hearing Monday, Hall waived a reading of the charges. He was ordered to have no contact with the victims or witnesses, most of whom were other students in the classroom. His bail was set at $500,000.

If he is able to post bail, a judge ordered Hall to first report to pre-trial services for an evaluation so he can be monitored during his release.

His next court date was scheduled for April 2.

Hall was recognized last year by the Huntsman Foundation as one of the top teachers in the state.