Boy-Groping Teacher Gets 15 Days

(Columbia, Missouri) Last August, a special education teacher at Rock Bridge High School was arrested for groping a 16-year-old boy. Judith F. Burke, 51, was booked on second-degree child molestation and released. She was placed on leave from her teaching position and later resigned.

On Tuesday (11/22), Burke pleaded guilty to molesting the 16-year-old student who accused her of touching him inappropriately last summer. As a result,

Judge Jodie Asel sentenced Burke to six months in the Boone County Jail but suspended the sentence. Instead, Asel ordered Burke to serve 30 days in jail ...

Not bad. She starts with a six month stretch and the judge immediately chops it down to 30 days. But wait, there's more.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Richard Hicks said he would not be opposed to her serving 15 days in jail and being released to home detention for the rest of the sentence.

Obviously, trouser-farming in Missouri is not considered a big deal.

Not to worry, though, the judge also gave Burke two years probation and required her to register as a sex offender. Court costs will come out of Burke's pocket too, as will a sawbuck she's required to give to the Missouri crime victims' fund. Ten bucks for the victims' fund! Boy, the victims of crime in Missouri must not need much.

In conclusion, there's not much to make of this case other than it was largely pooh-poohed by the court.