(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.
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.
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¿SUGGESTIVE pics?
I thought they were full dressed pictures!!!!
Your “child” see it around the clock in TV, internet, and perhaps in flesh…
I talk about the facts realised just now. If not proven guilty of fisical contact, the rest do not carrie a felony, just misdemeanor charges.
About the txt messages the school must fire her. Her marriage problems are not legal issues.
She is a married teacher with 3 young children who is very lucky the moms of these boys did not rip her to pieces. My child knew all about the emails and the VERY SUGGESTIVE pics she sent. And that doesn’t even mention the countless face to face comments that were made during school. Had this been a male teacher I know it would have been handled differently. Shame on the school, the police but mostly SHAME ON YOU MS TAYLOR
“400 text messages with the two boys between March and June”. Not much
“Raised the possibility of sending him a nude photo, but sent another suggestive photo of herself at a party”. A fun picture full dressed.
She obviously flirted. Not a big deal. Not professional, but not illegal, in my book. No proof of fisical contact. At the present nothing illegal has been released. The fact that she is appealing the termination from her job means they are willing to fight to the end.
I hope they have proof to support these charges. If not, 5 lives ruined for nothing.
I do not know if it is because she is a women,her and her family’s position in the community,or what but this women has gotten preferential treatment.The deciding factor on whether a person is arrested or a criminal summons is issued is the seriousness of the crime.The only time a summons is suppose to be issued is when it is a non felony (misdemeanor).She was charged with a felony and should have been arrested.As far as her ties to the community,risk of flight,position as a teacher the only time they should be considered is when her bail is being set after she is arrested.
@econobiker
Okay. Thanks. Didn’t think ‘walking’ was the same thing as simply not being arrested. And it’s not like she didn’t make the news anyway.
And I’m not sure what the egregious double standard is; it’s a pretty serious charge and we have yet to see how it resolves. And I’m not sure how this non-arrest is evidence of a double standard either. Plenty of women are arrested and must post bond to ‘walk’ so to speak.
But, to me, its the prosecution and sentencing (assuming that she’s guilty) that are the real indicators of a double standard. Not whether or not someone is immediately arrested when there’s no concern of a flight risk.
I want those pics of her
justsayno,
Guru was referencing that she was not arrested and not put in jail to be bailed out.
“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.”
versus male teachers who are given the entire “News at 6″ coverage of their perp walk type treatment.
Does anyone have this pic of her?