Janet Susan Parker, 26, a former teacher in Center,Texas has been charged with nearly two dozen sex crimes involving a juvenile.
Parker faces nine counts of sexual performance by a child, three counts of sexual assault of a child and 11 counts of possession of child pornography after authorities re-opened an earlier investigation of Parker’s relationship with the student. The majority of the charges are the result of a search warrant which permitted authorities to examine the hard drives of two computers from Parker’s home.
Parker came to the attention of authorities again school officials discovered photographs of the woman, partially-nude and draped in a rebel flag, on the student’s cell phone.
Parker’s relationship with the student was investigated in December, however authorities lacked sufficient proof to act. With the newly discovered evidence from the student’s cell phone and Parker’s computers the case was made.
Months later, a cell phone which had belonged to the student suspected of having a relationship with Parker, was taken up in school. Because of that suspected relationship, one of the school staff scrolled through photos saved on the cell phone, according to a statement by an investigator with the Shelby County District Attorney’s office, made in the affidavit.
Among the photos was one of a partially-nude woman lying on a bed, nude from the waist up, covered by a rebel flag. The woman was identified as Parker by her former husband, according to an affidavit.
During a search of the student’s cell phone, Parker’s home and cell phone numbers were listed as “Baby” and “Baby’s Cell,” the affidavit said.
The investigator said in the affidavit that Parker’s ex-husband said he had seen the student at Parker’s home several times, some times doing yard work.
Parker turned herself into the Shelby County, Texas sheriff’s office earlier today.
Update 6/20/07:
Yesterday Parker was indicted on a total of 23 charges alleging sexual performance by a child, sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. Prosecutors identified the alleged victim as a 14-year-old boy.
References:
Grand Jury Indicts former Teacher (6/20/07) scroll down the page for report
Former Center teacher accused of sex with student
Former Center teacher arrested on 23 charges including sexual assault of child
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