Ex-teacher gets probation on sex-abuse charge

He also submitted many letters attesting to Brown's character and work ethic, and noted the strong family support she had in the courtroom, which included many relatives who had come from her native Texas for the sentencing.

Brown has been living with her parents there while the case was under way and plans to return to live with them during her probation. Brown must apply for probationary status through the Texas criminal justice system, but Bugden said he expects that state will agree to supervise Brown under an interstate compact.

Bugden said Brown has punished herself through her strong remorse and guilt, and she realizes her errors in judgment have cost her her teaching career and also will mean she will be on a sex offender registry.

Brown tearfully addressed the judge, but spoke so softly she was nearly inaudible.

Carol Lear, a lawyer who represents the State Office of Education, told Deseret Morning News reporters working on an investigation of teacher misconduct in 2006 that teachers who misbehave are not the norm. Utah has more than 21,000 teachers. Approximately 100 are investigated for claims of misconduct each year, according to Lear. Of these, between six and 31 lose their licenses to teach.

But Charol Shakeshaft, a professor at Hofstra University in Hunting, N.Y., and a national expert on teacher misconduct, said in an interview for the same news story that states and school districts could do much more to protect students.

Among other things, Shakeshaft said parents and districts should have access to a national registry of sexually abusive educators.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com