(11/19/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)

Rebecca O’Malley-Tietz, 34, a former teacher’s aide at River Falls Academy in River Falls, Wisconsin has reportedly been arrested on allegations of having sex with a then 12-year-old boy several times in 2007/

Reportedly, O’Malley-Tietz was arrested on a charge of first degree sexual assault of a child.

According to a spokesperson for River Falls Police, they investigated the case earlier but dropped it when the alleged victim wouldn’t cooperate. Later, when the alleged victim was undergoing counseling he allegedly revealed more information and as a result police continued their investigation.

According to a report by WQOW:

Police say the boy told them O’Malley-Tietz would write notes to him at school. Eventually, he told officers he started staying at her house overnight as their relationship allegedly escalated. Police interviewed O’Malley-Tietz and claim she, at first, denied they had sex, but later changed her story. She told them they did, but that he forced himself on her.

WQOW also reports that the alleged victim claims that O’Malley-Tietz put a gun to his head and threatened to kill his family if he ever told anyone about their relationship.

Reportedly, the employment of Rebecca O’Malley-Tietz was terminated by the school system last year.

(09/10/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)

Michele Taylor, 31, a physical education teacher at East Valley High School in Yakima, Washington has reportedly been charged on allegations of sexual contact with a 16-year-old male student in a KMart parking lot.

Reportedly, Taylor is charged with sexual misconduct and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

In addition to the alleged sexual contact with the 16-year-old student it is also alleged that Taylor communicated with a 15-year-old male student and raised the possibility of sending him a nude photo, then sent another suggestive photo of herself at a party.

An investigator’s report alleges that Taylor exchanged more than 400 text messages with the two boys between March and June.

Taylor came to the attention of authorities in June when a student alerted the school system to the alleged conduct and the sheriff’s office began an investigation of Taylor.

KAPP TV reports:

County Prosecutor Jim Hagarty says his office decided not to arrest Taylor because she has no criminal history. She’ll have to appear in court in mid-October.

Reportedly, Michele Taylor and her husband, who is also a physical education teacher in the district, are well known because they are the parents of triplets who were born prematurely and received community support.

Michele Taylor was placed on paid administrative leave when the allegations arose in June.

Taylor’s arraignment is scheduled for October 16th.

The photo of Michele Taylor shown on the left is from her page on the web site of the Centralia College Sports Hall of Fame, a fact brought to our attention by Danny, over at The Weekly Vice.

09/17/09 Not Guilty Plea To Apparently Reduced Charge

Michele Taylor has, by way of a written plea submitted by her attorney, pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree sexual misconduct and two counts of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

Last week, the deputy prosecutor handling the case indicated that he had charged Taylor with first-degree sexual misconduct, yet this week he indicated he didn’t know why the charges filed in Yakima County Superior Court were actually for second-degree sexual misconduct.

The former is a felony offense punishable by up to five years in prison while the latter is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison.

The Following Is the Webmaster’s OPINION:

Apparently neither the deputy prosecutor nor his boss has seen fit to explain the reduced charge and Taylor’s attorney is apparently not talking either, all of which gives rise to at least the appearance of double-standards in the handling of cases of men and women accused of similar crimes.

This is particularly the case since County Prosecutor Jim Hagarty says his office decided not to arrest Taylor because she has no criminal history. Earlier a male coach charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with a female student was arrested and jailed in spite of the man having no criminal record.

This case is shaping up as one which may well define the extent to which double-standards exist in the treatment of school employees accused of improper relationships with students.

10/06/09 – Case Update

A reader has brought to our attention a report by the Yakima Herald-Republic which indicates that an amended charge of first-degree sexual misconduct was filed against Michele Taylor who also faces two counts of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

According to the referenced report, Prosecutor Hagarty said he will consider strengthening the process to make sure that proper charges are filed, and that he will review the standards on whether to arrest defendants who are teachers.

10/16/09 – Arraignment

Today, Michele Taylor appeared in court for arraignment on charges of sexual misconduct and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

Taylor’s attorney pointed out to the judge that Taylor had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defense sought and received modification of the standard no-contact order prohibiting Taylor from being around children. Taylor is now permitted contact with her own children.

The judge also agreed to let Taylor remain free on her own recognizance.

10/23/09 – Case Update

Reportedly, East Valley School District school officials met with Michele Taylor this week for a “due process meeting” and the district is continuing its internal investigation of Taylor.

Once the district’s investigation is complete, school officials will decide what if any action to take in regard to Taylor’s employment with the district.

Meanwhile, Taylor continues on paid administrative leave.

11/03/09 – School District Moves To Fire Taylor

Reportedly, the East Valley School District sent a letter to Michele Taylor on Monday saying there is “probable cause” to terminate her employment with the district.

Taylor will have 10 days to decide if she wants to appeal the decision.

If she does appeal, the district will conduct a hearing over the matter.

11/17/09 – Michele Taylor Appeals Termination

Michele Taylor is reportedly appealing termination from her job.

According to the Yakima Herald:

The next step is for both sides to select and agree upon a hearing officer, who will weigh the evidence and determine whether there is indeed probable cause for Taylor’s termination.

(07/25/08 – Initial BBT Report)

Laura Kirkland, 25, a fifth-grade teacher at Christian Schools of Springfield, in Springfield, Missouri has been arrested on charges of rape and sodomy of a now 11-year-old boy, who she baby sat and allegedly sexually abused for two years.

Kirkland is charged with two counts of statutory sodomy with a person less than 14 years old and one count of statutory rape with a person less than 14 years old.

It is alleged that Kirkland had sexual intercourse and oral sex with the boy repeatedly for two years when the boy was between 8 to 10 years old. All the the alleged incident are said to have taken place in Kirkland’s home and when she was baby sitting the alleged victim.

Bond for Kirkland was set at $75,000 and conditioned upon her having no contact with the victim or any child under 17 and she may not be anywhere children congregate. Reportedly Kirkland had not made bail as of Thursday evening.

Media reports indicate that Kirkland has been employed by the school for three years and in addition to working at the school, Kirkland also worked at a day care facility.

09/05/08 – Court Appearance

Laura Kirkland has made her initial court appearance and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.

Police say the woman admitted to performing oral sex on the minor three times, and having sex with him twice.

Kirkland’s next court appearance is set for December 2nd.

10/05/08 – Bond Reduced

On Friday, a judge reduced the bond for Laura Kirkland from $75,000 to $25,000.

Reportedly Kirkland’s parents were working Friday afternoon to secure her released on bond. Kirkland has been jailed since her arrest.

Kirkland’s next court appearance is set for October 31st.

11/16/09 – Guilty Plea

On October 27, Laura Kirkland pleaded guilty in Greene County court on allegations of having a sexual relationship with a young boy.

A news media report indicates that Kirkland pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree statutory sodomy.

However, online court records indicated that she entered guilty pleas to Statutory Sodomy and to Statutory Rape charges, with both counts in the 1st degree.

Sentencing is set for January 15th before judge Calvin R. Holden

I would like to thank “Pikaia”, whose comment notified us of the latest developments in this case – webmaster

References:

Kirkland Pleads Guilty to Sex with Student (10/29/09)

Judge allows lower bond in sex case (10/04/08)

Woman charged with sexually abusing boy she baby-sat (09/05/08)

Woman faces charges of having sex with boy (07/25/08)

Day-care worker accused of raping boy (07/25/08)

Woman Charged with Statutory Rape (07/24/08)

Babysitter is accused of having sex with 10-year-old boy (07/23/08)

Charging documents in the case of Laura Kirkland are available in ‘PDF format’ by Clicking Here or Here.