Teacher Gets No Jail in Naked Pics Case - Updated

(Derry, New Hampshire) Former English teacher at Londonderry High School, Melinda Dennehy, 41, pleaded guilty earlier today to misdemeanor indecent exposure in accordance with a plea agreement.

Dennehy faced a possible seven years in prison if she were to go to trial on the original count of felony indecent exposure.

As part of her plea agreement, Dennehy’s one-year jail sentence was suspended for two years on condition she remain on good behavior and have no contact with the teen or his family, or go to the school. She resigned three weeks after she was charged in March.

Neither the teen nor his family were in court. Prosecutor Kevin Coyle told Derry District Court Judge John Coughlin that family supported the plea agreement "and want to put this incident behind them."

Dennehy told the court that she is truly sorry for her actions. She will surrender her teaching certificate as part of the plea agreement.

* * * * *
Teacher Sends Naked Pics to Student
[Previous 3/5/10 post]
(Londonderry, New Hampshire) A 41-year-old English teacher at Londonderry High School, Melinda Dennehy, has been arrested for allegedly emailing naked photos of herself to a 15-year-old student. Dennehy has been charged with indecent exposure.

Police say she sent four nude pictures of herself to one of her 15-year-old students at Londonderry High School, where she teaches English.

He then allegedly forwarded them to his friends.

According to police documents, the pictures were sent two months ago.

Authorities learned this week that the photos were being passed around school. Police obtained a copy of one of the pictures and co-workers identified Dennehy in it.

The teen told authorities that Dennehy had "continuously sent him text messages," some of which were sexually explicit.

He also claimed that she "kissed him twice on two separate occasions" in a classroom at school.

Dennehy was booked into custody and released on $10,000 bond. Arraignment is scheduled for April 30.