5 more girls speak up in teacher case

At least five more girls have stepped forward to talk to detectives following the arrest of a popular first-grade teacher in Riverton accused of molesting students in his classroom.

Frank Laine Hall, 36, was charged last week in 3rd District Court with three counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child, all first-degree felonies.

According to court documents, Hall, who taught at Rosamond Elementary, 12195 S. 1975 West, in Riverton, is accused of putting his hand down the pants of three female students in his classroom.

Since news of Hall's arrest broke last week, the sheriff's office has interviewed five additional girls who have come forward, said Chief Deputy Shane Hudson. All of the students interviewed were from the school, but it was not known Tuesday if they were all students in Hall's classroom.

One of the students interviewed apparently knew Hall from last school year, Hudson said.

Hall's attorney, Craig Bainum, said he was still trying to collect police reports and information from the district attorney's office about the case.

He couldn't talk about specific conversations he had had with Hall, but Bainum mentioned Tuesday that his client had not been doing well since his arrest.

"His demeanor is he's shocked. He wasn't expecting this. I don't know how else to call it," he said. "There's a state of shock."

Bainum feared that his client's shock would only get worse after Hall heard that additional charges were expected to be screened.

Bainum confirmed Tuesday his client was in "protective custody for his own safety" while at the Salt Lake County Jail, away from other inmates. He hoped that part of isolating Hall from others at the jail would include more frequent checkups for his well-being.

However, Hall was not on suicide watch, Bainum said.

Hall's bail Tuesday was set at $500,000. His next court appearance was scheduled for April 2.

The popular teacher was honored with a Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education in 2006.

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