An analysis by Fox News determined 135 educators have been arrested in 41 states this year; 102 were arrested for child sex-related crimes. The analysis was reportedly unable to determine the nature of 13 of the arrests, and another 30 arrests did not involve students.
The study found serious sexual crimes were involved in the majority of cases brought against the teachers, substitutes and teacher’s aides between January 1 and May 13.
Missouri substitute teacher Danielle Fischer, 29, was arrested February 4 on multiple felony charges of criminal sexual assault and sexual abuse. Fischer allegedly had sexual contact with two male students of hers; one boy was 16 and the other was 17. She is next scheduled to appear in court June 6.
Indiana biology teacher John M. Doty, 35, was charged with rape, attempted rape and child seduction after he was arrested February 9. According to an “ABC57” report, Doty had been in regular communication with his female student after helping her resolve some issues, which she reportedly said created a closeness between them. Doty allegedly sexually assaulted the teenage girl three times between December 21, 2021, and January 4.
Prior to the first of his alleged rapes, the former biology teacher reportedly told the 16-year-old he would kill her as he pointed to a roadside ditch he would toss her body into.
Doty was released from jail after a $25,000 cash-only bond was posted on his behalf, the report noted. He is scheduled to be tried in January 2023.
North Carolina science teacher William Smith, 31, was arrested March 18 and charged with 56 charges lodged against him. The former Cape Fear High School teacher faces 27 counts of first-degree sexual exploitation, 28 counts of indecent liberties with a student and a charge of secretly installing a hidden camera.
According to a Fayetteville Observer report, Smith taught science mainly for Cape Fear freshmen and sophomores from August 2018 until his Dec. 2, 2021, suspension, adding he tendered his resignation January 28. He is reportedly incarcerated with bail set at $425,000.
Not all teachers charged with sex crimes were men, though, as evidenced by the April 8 arrest of a female private school teacher.
Anessa Gower, 35, provided biology instruction at Making Waves Academy, in Richmond, California, before her April 8 arrest on 29 charges of child molestation. Allegations against Gower include sex acts with minors, inappropriate touching and sharing sexually graphic images.
Gower is currently in custody, with bail set at $1.9 million.
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