http://www.1270wmpm.com/wmpm_local_news.htm School Teacher Charged With Having Sex With Fifth Grade Student - An elementary school teacher was arrested Friday on charges she had a sexual relationship with an 11-year-old male student. The alleged sex acts with the fifth grader occurred in her classroom in 2003 at Polenta Elementary School and during school hours. Rebecca Withrow, 29, of Clayton is charged with first degree rape of a child, taking indecent liberties with a child, and sex offense with a student. The alleged sex acts occurred between February and June 2003. Tammy Amaon, a spokesperson with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, said the allegations against Withrow just recently came to light and during the investigation she resigned her position on Wednesday with Johnston County Schools. Withrow, accompanied by her attorney, surrendered to sheriff’s detectives Friday afternoon. She appeared before a magistrate and was placed in the Johnston County Jail under a $750,000 bond. Crystal Roberts, Public Information Officer for Johnston County Schools released a statement on Friday afternoon saying, “This matter is in the hands of law enforcement. While we cannot comment on the charges, the school system takes seriously any concerns that are raised in the educational environment. The employee has resigned from the school system for personal reasons. The school system will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in this matter.” Rebecca Withrow was hired as a fifth grade teacher in August 2001, and worked exclusively at Polenta Elementary.
Melynda before we convict, let's make sure we have all of the facts. If in fact, the allegations are true, that's one thing. However, she should be presumed innocnet untila fair trial is conducgted and the facts are weighed. I'm hearing that there may have been other cirsumstances with mom's ex husband and the teacher that might kinda place this in a different context... While hard to not be instantly prejudiced against her, I can tell you there have been false allegations lodged against people in the past that were not factual. Not saying this isn'ttghe case here, but we just don't have all the facts. Her resignation may have been nothing more than her decision to not involve her school or her class any moreso than it will become. Again, consider the timing. She turned herself in, accompanied by an attorney. The sheriif's department did not go arrest her. The investigation is continuing. Unfortunately, this becomes a case of thrying to "unring" a bell that has been rung. Most people probably think there's someting to this case, when we don't have the facts, yet.
It’s hard to believe that anyone would risk the reputation and emotionally stability of the child, the child's family, the teacher, the teacher's family, the school & the community - just to be hurtful. Unfortunately, I do know that unscrupulous, attention seeking, hurtful individuals are out there. Either way this situation seems bad for the child involved. I hope the truth prevails and the child and any innocent victims of this situation are able to walk away from this without being further traumatized. This is just a sad story. You're correct though - I was angry when I first read this story and I made an assumption that the teacher was guilty because of her resignation. I know better. Making assumtions is wrong & this woman should be considered innocent until proven guilty. I just realized this topic had already been posted over in the neighborhood http://4042.appcomm.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10906&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
