When Minnesota parents send their children off to school, it is believed that the teachers and administrators there will make every effort to ensure the safety of all students entrusted in their care. This is one of the reasons why reports of sexual misconduct within area schools are so distressing to parents and others within the community. Many are currently following the arrest of a local teacher who is facing serious sex crime charges based on her interaction with a student.
There are few details given on the exact nature of the relationship between the teacher and the minor child. However, the Pacelli High School teacher was recently arrested and charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct. She has subsequently lost her position and must now prepare her response to those charges.
An administrator with the school told reporters that there are policies in place to identify and report any untoward conduct between teachers and students. It was stated that those procedures are what led to the teacher’s arrest. However, it is not known whether the police were called based on a student coming forward with allegations of abuse, or if it was the result of rumors or other suggestion that wrongdoing may have taken place.
It is important that Minnesota parents keep in mind that not every accusation of a sex crime leads to a criminal conviction. In fact, many such charges are dropped long before they head to court, based on a lack of evidence, variations in the statements given by the presumed victim and many other circumstances. This woman, like all other Minnesota residents, is entitled to be presumed innocent until proved otherwise.
Source: kstp.com, “Austin, Minn., High School Teacher Fired, Arrested on Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges“, Megan Matthews, Oct. 7, 2014