Ex-Teacher Gets Probation for Indecent Liberties with Student

(Greenville, North Carolina) Former English teacher at South Central High School, Katherine B. Tew, 31, was convicted of taking indecent liberties with a student and given a prison term of six to eight months, suspended, and two years probation.

After her sex-toy student boyfriend, 17, spilled the beans last February, an investigation was launched which resulted in finding that Tew, known as "Katy" Tew, was engaging in an extended-term, passing-love-notes relationship with the boy. The nature of their relationship explained behavior that included late-night prancing in pajamas while pulling plugs from a bottle of tequila. Tew was arrested and released on $10,000 bail.

Tew denied the charges, however, she was unable to explain why her cell phone records indicated that she had talked to the boy 129 times in a two-month period when she had only talked to her husband 67 times during the same period. Tew could not refute the boy's testimony that the relationship was serious. As a result, the jury convicted her of taking indecent liberties. Tew was found not guilty of the more serious charge of having sexual relations with the student.

Judge William C. Griffin Jr. of Williamston also ordered Tew to undergo psychological evaluation and perform 36 hours of community service. Tew additionally loses her license to teach for a period of two years and will have to register as a sex offender.

It's my belief that teachers convicted of having inappropriate relationships with students should always be treated harshly. This would include some time, however minimal, behind bars. Incarceration forces a wrongdoer to reflect on his/her transgressions. In that regard, Tew skated.