Female Teacher Arrested for Sex with Female Student

(Franklin, Tennessee) A 34-year-old art teacher at Franklin High School, Heather Thorsby, was arrested yesterday for allegedly engaging in a sex with a female student. The student's parents discovered the relationship and notified the school on Friday.

According to Williamson County Sheriff Ricky Headley, Thorsby admitted to having a sexual relationship with the student since last December. Reportedly, it was a friendship that became sexual.

Thorsby has been charged with sexual battery by an authority figure. The school system has suspended her without pay. Thorsby was booked into the Williamson County Jail. A bond hearing is scheduled for today.

In a related story, the Williamson County Sheriff's office is investigating another alleged teacher-student relationship at the same school. Insufficient evidence has been gathered thus far to file charges.


[Update 05/16/07]

From Dickson Herald:

Having spent the night in jail, Independence High School teacher Heather Thorsby was released after posting $10,000 bail this morning.

Thorsby, 34, is charged with sexual battery by an authority figure for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a female student. The art teacher appeared before Williamson County Judge Denise Andre who set her bail at $10,000 and added provisions to her release. Thorsby is to remain with her parents, who live in Franklin, and is not to leave the state. Her parents were instructed to notify the court if they suspect she has made an attempt to flee.

Okay, but I wonder what allows the court to dictate instructions to the parents. I don't think they have been charged with anything and they don't seem to be party to the alleged criminal behavior on the part of their daughter.


[Update 11/13/07]

Thorsby indicted.