Deseret News | Reader comments: High school teacher arrested on investigation of rape

Reader comments
High school teacher arrested on investigation of rape

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Eric C. | 12:38 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

That's the oddest thing I've ever heard coming from a police department!

"As always, these charges are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty,"

Susan D. | 6:08 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I am reading more and more of this type of crime in our public schools. Perhaps the U.E.A. should have a special training session on sexual abuse involving teachers and students. I know it would make me a little more comfortable sending my kids to public school.

mo | 7:39 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Maybe it is a reminder to everyone. About 2 years ago a friend of mine was charge similarly. He was proved innocent. But before any court trials, readers from this newspaper were ready to castrate and hang him. If the person is guilty then proper punishment should happen. Unfortunately, we put these stories in the news before finding them guilty. We punish on allegations. No story was published about him being innocent, just the allegations of the wrong.

Comments continue below

Dutchman | 7:48 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

She is innocent until found quilty, but if she is found quilty she will get a slap on the wrist and no jail time just like the female teacher from Cyprus High School. It has been pointed out many times that if this were a male teacher having sex with either a boy or girl student he would probably get 15 years to life in prison. Our justice system is not equal or fair. The attitude persists that male boys are not really victims and that adults can do with them whatever they wish.

stat1 | 7:54 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Yeah, so strange that the police would make a correct statement of the law! Unbelievable.

All the facts please. | 7:54 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Would have been nice if the paper had reported the students age. Would guess this happened at the high school, so the student could be 18. Happened here in Texas. Student was 17 and at the age of consent, but it was against the law because she was a teacher. Who cares??? Just your tax dollars going down the drain.

Right on-Eric! | 8:03 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Has that comment ever been made when a Male teacher is accused?? Not that I know of.

C.H. | 8:31 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Eric C.

Yes, it is so odd that a correct statement of the law would come forth from the police department. Crazy.

Rich | 8:32 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

You know what would solve this problem? Vouchers and more tax cuts!

Reader | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I'm sure the male student "victim" is just destroyed by this so-called relationship with the teacher. Legally they are not liable, because they are not of age, but in incidents like these, I wonder what culpability the male students have. Unless there are some mental development issues involved, I'm sure he knew exactly what he was doing and was a willing participant in it. That, of course, does not excuse the teacher's actions.

Concerned Citizen | 8:53 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I wonder who will get more jail time the Teacher that raped a student or Warren Jeffs who arranged an underage marriage, or will it be the teenage husband of the cheating teenage bride.

My bet is that the teacher will get no jail time. In fact it will probabbly get plead down to some small time offense. After all she is not a polygamist or a man.

JWK | 9:05 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

She will get a slap on the wrist if she is convicted. If she were a man she would get 20 to 30 years.

Lynn H. | 9:25 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

This is why the Sex. off. registry etc. is overkill. About 90% of sex crimes are in family or with close associates.

teacher | 10:04 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

training so you feel your kids are safe at school!!!there is training at the beginning of each year and sometimes along the way. i know that teachers have a position of trust, so do religious leaders, scout leaders, cops, whatever. kids need to be safe WHERE EVER they are, not just school. Females need the same sentences that males receive. No one is above the law. Those who are found innocent, need the news coverage to vindicate them. These are not minor charges and ruin lives of ALL concerned.

Not surpised anymore | 10:12 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

People can't puncutate, do basic math, or name the fifty states anymore, but they CAN do this!
Impressive!

To Reader 8:44 | 10:31 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Wow! No wonder that boys (AND men) who have been abused and/or raped won't come forward and tell their stories; just look at the incredible bias.

I'm going to change a couple of words in your paragraph and see how your attitude might change.

"I'm sure the female student "victim" is just destroyed by this so-called relationship..." "in incidents like these, I wonder what culpability the female students have.." (Maybe like baring their breasts in low-cut tops for everyone to see?) AND, most inane of all, "unless there are some mental development issues involved, I'm sure she knew exactly what she was doing and was a willing participant in it". The utter insanity of your comments simply reflects your own ignorance and, MOST unfortunately, the general societal bias against males in situations like this. Just crazy!

re: Rich | 10:35 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Rich you must be one very naive person to really think that vouchers or tax cuts would solve this problem. Do you think that voucher funded schools are going to be any less vunerable to problems than a publicly funded school? Wow we know how you will vote. Explain to me how cutting funding from a school will fix this problem.

utattorney | 10:50 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

"Reader" I cannot believe the ignorance of your comment. Do you really think that the student (they have not identified gender yet) would have some culpability? If she is guilty, then she has taken advantage of a minor, someone who cannot consent legally. OUr laws protect minors because they do not have the ability to consent in the same way as an adult. If she is guilty, this teacher used her position of trust and authority to gratify herself. I also agree with the other comments made herein that if this were a male teacher, there would not be comments made like this. The bottom line is that if she did this, the student will mbe emotionally scarred, regardles s of whether the student was male or female.

JN | 10:54 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I know for a fact she will lose her teaching license if she is quilty

For years | 10:59 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

This kind of thing has been going on since having school in class rooms began. The difference now is that there are laws making illegal and a rabid media eager to trumpet every little incedent, regardless of actual fact or cicumstance, before the whole world.

If you are worried about your child having a sexual relationship with a teacher then maybe you should do some parenting and address the issue with your child. Let's not predend like our high schools are being taught by a bunch of sexual predators because they aren't. In my opinion most cases involving high school students and teachers, like this one, are more about terrible judgement than being a sexual predator, or a victim of a sex crime.

Scott W. | 11:07 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Good one Rich. I like seeing sharp free-market satire. I mean, no poor sap could actually believe this has anything to do with taxes and vouchers.

Old Port | 11:15 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Even though she has not been convicted, the media yet again posts names and pics of the accused, which should be illegal in my opinion.

To Rich | 11:19 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Vouchers and tax cuts are the answer? I can only hope that I am recognizing your sarcasm. I find it interesting that many people turn to vouchers as soon as a school teacher is found doing something inappropriate. Certainly teachers at private schools can be equally fallible. In fact, can't we find sexual misconduct in every occupation? It seems we can even find DNA evidence in the Oval Office! Anybody who says vouchers are the answer (as a serious suggestion) needs to rethink their position!

H-town | 11:23 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Rich,
Please explain EXACTLY how vouchers and/or tax cuts would help this situation?
I know of much worse instances in private schools that would turn your stomach!

ME | 11:33 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Don't you know that female teachers can rape underage male students, lose their job, and then go find another higher paying job, while male teachers who rape underage females get 15 years in the slammer and never get hired again. It's just how things work. And you can thank Hillary Clinton, Al Sharpton, and liberal judges who can't seem to apply the law correctly in each case.

Give a female rapist 15+ years in the bighouse and we'll finally see justice.

Anonymous | 11:37 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

"Innocent until proven guilty" does not seem to apply to sex offense accusations. My husband was falsely accused by a vengeful granddaughter, which made his crimes 1st degree felonies, 15-life. At his attorney's recommendation, he accepted a plea bargain of 3rd degree felonies, but in doing so he had to admit in court that he had done something, which was not true. He was not able to prove his innocence because it was his word against hers. No evidence, no investigation, just the word of the child, against which a grandpa is helpless. He just spent 6 months in jail for doing nothing, and will be on probation for 5 years, and on the registry for 15. I don't know if this teacher is guilty or not. We have learned from our experience not to make judgments on others. I know this will affect the rest of our lives, and it will affect this teacher's life, and the student who was part of it. A sad situation, especially if true. What has happened to proper morals?

vouchers | 11:52 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Vouchers would help because private schools have much more parent control than in public schools. it is called competition. I am for vouchers for many reasons, this just being one of them. Read "Hold on to your kids" by Dr. Neufeld and you'll see how public schools are detrimental to our children by peer orientation rather than parent attachment. I'd go for a great teacher in a private school anytime and because parents are so involved, there is very little chance for a rape in a private school.

just me | 11:57 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Voucher school teachers don't even licenses to teach or have background checks so I don't see how sending a student to a voucher school would solve the problem, just a thought.

T-Bone | 12:34 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Reader, you can't be serious. Minors are leagally incapable of developing the requisite state of mind known as consent. What if a minor female has a crush on her teacher, does that make it OK? No. So why would it be OK even if the male victim (since it was a female teacher) might have been attracted to her? Minors cannot legally consent to these activities.

Lenny | 1:45 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

To Susan D: This happens everywhere, not just in public schools. Put your kids in protective wrap and lock them in a closet. Teachers are trained, but there are weirdos out and about of both genders. The key here is PARENTS NEED TO TRAIN THEIR KIDS TO BEWARE OF PREDATORS AND PREDATORY SITUATIONS. PARENTS NEED TO GET INVOLVED WITH THEIR OWN KIDS AND KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES, THEIR ROOMS, THEIR IPODS, THEIR PHONES, THEIR COMPUTERS. Once again the school system is blamed and expected to be everything to everyone. Parent!

Anonymous | 1:53 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

to voucher:
Explain to me why you think parents are more involved in their child's class in a private school? Is it because they are more dedicated because they are paying for it themselves? Why can't they be as dedicated in a public school? I teach in a public school and have most of my 26 students' parents volunteer because they care not only about their child but about public school and want to stay involoved. I am so grateful for their help. You have made this a public vs. private issue when in reality it is about the dedication and involvement of the parent.

TEACHER | 1:59 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Vouchers "there is very little chance for a rape in a private school". you are so nieve. this is not a voucher issue, it is a people issue, a child safety issue and why aren't YOU involved with your childs school and teacher. with statements like yours.....sad really, really, sad.

Food for thought | 2:07 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Under Utah law, if the victim (age 14 -18) was not enticed or coerced by the alleged rapist (more than three years older) it would not be rape. So, the comment that a child under 18 cannot consent is inaccurate. What makes this situation unique is that the alleged rapist is a teacher and "occupies a position of speal trust". The sad truth is that even if the facts of this case turn out that the vicitm was willing or even actively pursued the relationship, the mere fact that the alleged rapist is a teacher and the vicitm is under 18 means that the teacher could be found guilty of rape. This would be the case even if the teacher and student are less than three years apart in age.

Some things to ponder | 2:08 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Years ago, age alone may have been an accurate means to decide when a child is a child. Consider that these days there are some cases of children commiting such horrendous crimes that they are tried as adults. Why is it not possible that the "victim" in this case could not be found mature enough to be a consenting adult? My guess is that the teacher probably assumed the sex was consensual and no force was involved. If you've visited a high school recently, you will find that many students do not see teachers as authority figures. The student "victim" may be physically stronger. What if the student made the first advances? It doesn't make it right. It does appear to be a case of poor judgement on the teachers part. And possibly poor parenting on the the victims part. There is too much unknown in the case to speculate. Everything is not black and white. He who is without sin... yadda, yadda, yadda!

Iron Axe | 2:22 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

You are all Ignorant to the realities of these accusations, like the teacher on last week's paper she had sex with this teen age boy over 33 times and still everyone rush for her rescue, and kept on saying do not judge, you cannot underestimate the power of pro creation and when it is used wrongly, it can be fatal, as for this case, I can't judge, but I see the same pattern of rushing in to say do not judge!! but how many times and how long will we be ignorant to these types of predators!!you watch it is a SHE and she will get like a slap on the hands and let go, as for a HE...he is already tried, convicted and send to purgatory before he can even spell HIS last name...this is justice systems at it best......what is she going to get some house arrest and probation with no jail time...things that makes you go hmmmmmmmmmm.

Presumption of Innocence? | 2:43 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

It doesn't seem like the police have presumed her innocent, they arrested her after all! The prosecutors are not presuming her innocence either, they will be trying to convince the court to toss her in jail. The law doesn't require you, me, the police, this paper or most anyone else to presume innocence. Only the court is required to do so.

Timothy said it, grandpa repeats | 2:55 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Yes, read 2nd Timothy 3:1-7 ( it is in the New Testament, The Bible! for you who need direction. It explains just what we are up against in these times...""lovers of their own selves", "disobedient to parents", "without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, ..."lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God"..."For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts"..(she is innocent until proven guilty by the way..)

Well, it isn't just in the schools folks, it is everywhere. Skilled and inspired parenting is the first line of defense. "Where there is no prophet, the people persih". Follow the Prophet and be great examples to your children. That way, they have half a chance to survive the follies of the last days.

Robzilla | 3:06 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Hmm, I don't know why but I got slightly distracted by these people debating about all these useless irrelevent things, which may not be in most cases, in this case, its not a matter of sort of flaws in any system, It's a willing 'rape'

Save yourselfs the time of argument.

Anonymous | 3:08 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Minors cannot consent ( with good reason) to these actions but 11 year old children can obtain birth control prescriptions.

Frank | 3:50 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

How would private schools be safer the public schools? Good grief, the Roman Catholic Church has just gotten their own sex abuse scandal under control. And try to find a man teaching alone in the LDS Church's Primary organization.

Our society is out of control. And if we don't stop this nonsense, we'll all suffer in some way.

Citizen | 4:08 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

The true cure for this is look at the primary cause, I was taught that prostitution is illegal, however we take a hooker and a gigalo or even another hooker pay them to have sex, film it, photograph it and then call it free speach. and the Pimp that sells it laughs all the way to the bank. no wonder people out there are "testing" these things, teachers, students are getting cought, and this is the result, teacher arrested for having sex with a student. who are we to allow this form of prostitution to continue to temp and show the "testors" of this world. I dare the any attorney general to tackle that issue with this angle!! but no we can't infringe on "free Speach"
think about that one world.

fu manchu | 4:11 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

another fine example of the quality teachers at public school!

let's get vouchers rolling!

to teacher | 4:14 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

"why aren't YOU involved with your childs school and teacher" -- so you are suggesting a three-way?

First, no one can be with any child every minute, but THIS teacher was there EVERY TIME she and this student did the deed, so SHE is the one who was expected to protect, not exploit a child who, by virtue of the child/student relationship is a subordinate and protected by still other laws.

Second, teacher, it is "child's school," not "childs school," and it is "naive," not "neive." Hope you don't teach English.

Anonymous | 4:16 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I go to Hurricane high school and just to clear things up, the guy was almost eighteen.

Dave Henley | 4:59 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

A high school senior has an affair with a young teacher. Would this be the first one? Every kid in the school likely knew and snickered, perhaps to the point where distracted parents got involved and showed hypocritical outrage. Leave it the DesNews to add to the stupidity by actually reporting this kind of stuff.

KP | 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Before more postings roll on, it should be stated that this teacher is a human being who made a seriously grave mistake. I live in Hurricane. This is a tragedy for the community here as the teacher was a respected community member.

I do not condone her alleged actions--not at all. However, there is more to this story than meets the eye. To quanitify this incident as a common is inaccurate and irresponsible.

Finally, to those who focus on correcting all grammatical errors of previous posting: You are missing the point of the postings.

Punishment? | 6:37 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Punishment is dealt according to law and after the facts of a case are heard.

Removing the teacher from the classroom is the first action, as was done in this case. Any job action done prematurely opens an employer to future legal action/damages. It is prudent to place an employee on leave in a case like this until the facts of the charges are indisputable or an admission of guilt is made.

It is not uncommon to see the original charges reduced as the facts surface and the legal minds regroup, offer pleas, etc.

Concerned parent | 9:56 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Crissy was in a position where she was respected and admired by these teenage children. And again, lets remember they are children. I don't care that he was almost 18. In no way should we ever condone this behavior! It is absolutely unacceptable for a teacher to conduct themselves in this manner. I personally know Crissy and my heart hurts for her and her family. I truly hope this stops for the sake of my children and others.

Mother | 8:31 a.m. Oct. 26, 2007

Child sexual abuse is just that. If that were my son, I'd be outraged. I don't care how "respectable" the teacher is: if she is guilty, she's a sex offender. Nothing more, nothing less.

Vouchers Vouchers Vouchers Vouch | 9:02 a.m. Oct. 26, 2007

Down with public schools!!!! Vouchers Vouchers Vouchers!!! Yes parents do have a better hold on things in private schooling. I could cite several studies that prove such. The fact is settling for public schools is like settling for mush when you could be eating steak. The irony of that statement is that the public schools in Utah are generally much better than public schools in Arizona and Nevada (where we live). In Utah you really don't know public schools unless you have really seen "public schools" where you have mostly thugs and kids walking around with pants down to their ankles. Utahns are largely blind to what a public school is because really they are not that bad in Utah but again why take not that bad when you could have better. As to the student teacher relationship she does share responsibility but so does he. The fact is once you are about 12-14 you know what it means to have sex and ALSO know that you can say NO if you wanted to. Point is he didn't want to, so he regardless of what the law says, is just as guilty as she morally. Vouchers Vouchers Vouchers

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