Today, we were working on the house and my mind was wandering all over the place like it normally does when I'm doing stuff that does not require me to pay attention. Anyways, it popped it to my mind. A young woman, a teacher, had been charged with a shocking crime against children months and months ago. I wondered what had ever happened. The next break in activity, I grabbed my phone, and typed in her name and discovered that she plea bargained and is due to be sentenced later this month.
As I continued my cyber stalking, I saw that since her firing by the school district, she'd taken another job, working in the HR department of a local company. 'How does that happen?' I wondered, studying her smiling face in her linked in profile. I was surprised to read her professional information, which made it seem as if she was moving confidently down her chosen career path insteading of striking out in a completely new direction because she will never be able to teach or work with children again.
How do you get past that? How do you stop thinking and obsessing about it? How do people royally screw up, but then get themselves into another well paying job, let alone one that involves confidentiality and trust? I know these ponderings makes me sound like a terrible human being.
She had a birthday, and people sang her praises on her facebook page. Every one was carefully acknowledged with a heart emoji. One of them caught my eye. 'She's a good girl from a good family.' There were several likes for that comment. I've been mulling it over. No. I don't know all the details, but I know enough to know that a good girl abused her position of trust and that it was something that unfolded over a period of months. This was egregious behavior that any person, teacher or not, would recognize as inappropriate.
She started out with 6 charges, 4 of them felonies. There was a plea deal. She pled guilty the two misdemeanors, corruption of minors and indecent assault without consent. The good girl from a good family with a good job has a good lawyer.
I'll be interested to see what her sentence is.
Late Edit: The ever gracious Steve Reed made a comment that stopped me in my tracks: Hmmmmm. I'm hesitant to comment not knowing the specifics, but I generally applaud the idea of giving people a second chance when they've screwed up. Of course, there are a lot of variables there...how severe were the crimes, how did they affect the victims, what were their potential long term effects.
That was an excellent comment. I worried that I had left a wrong impression. I know that she did a terrible thing. I know that she is in the hands of the legal system. My point was not about judging her (not my job) or about kicking someone when they are down. I guess that my point was diffrerent. I was not talking so much about 'second chances' as I was about consequences. Sometimes it seems that consequences seem to fall more lightly on some than others. I am fascinated by the fact that someone can do something awful, but still be surrounded by supporters who will see them as 'good people' still, worthwhile, worth a second chance. Other people never have that kind of grace extended to them. They never get a second chance.
Sorry for the lack of posts. Tim is quite ill.
Lies and deception? Contrary to popular perceptions, psychopaths are often charming and popular, hiding perfectly their darker talents as extremely plausible liars and supreme manipulators of people and situations. I personally know a woman like this and it is both fascinating and terrifying to see how they operate and how thoroughly good, kind, thoughtful people are hoodwinked.
ReplyDeleteShe's not a "good girl", she sounds like a psychopath to me.
ReplyDeleteStrange business indeed. For a moment thought Anon was talking about someone else, rather well known.
ReplyDeleteHer sentence will probably be determined based on how much good funding the good family with the good lawyer is giving the good judge. Nauseating. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how any organisation would employ someone with that kind of criminal background.
ReplyDeleteTwo laws, one for the rich and one for the rest of us. Gigi
ReplyDeleteIn situations like this, many people tend to forget the bigger picture. Being sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is a very real thing that causes many employers to steer away from thorny issues like prior convictions, arrests, etc. Also, many states outright ban the ability of employers to ask about prior convictions.
ReplyDeleteAt best case, the person in charge of hiring recognizes the name and just tosses the resume. But so many people don't read or even pay attention to local news and so these sorts of things happen all the time.
Pennsylvania law states: "Felony and misdemeanor convictions may be considered by the employer only to the extent to which they relate to the applicant's suitability for employment in the position for which he has applied."
DeleteI can't believe that her name was not recognized, to be honest. This was a very big deal in a very small town.
Ed is right, you cannot ask a number of questions that you might already know the answer to. I managed a school lunchroom for a number of years, and it was in a small town. I knew most of the people that I did not want around my kids, but they did come in for jobs at times. I had to word questions very careful and then I knew they we not telling me the truth. I learned to know people and ask questions that lead to the truth or make the job over their work ability. Like I need a baker, can you make 18 cakes or 1200 yeast rolls in one morning? Usually, no. By the way yes It can be done, and I could do it with ease in my day.
ReplyDeleteI would be interested to know exactly what she was charged with.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is permissible to ask a person applying for a job if they had ever been convicted of a felony. Now if she hasn't yet been convicted, she could honestly say "no" on the application. But you're right- seems like someone would have caught that name.
School - sexual intercourse/sexual contact with a student - Felony 3
DeleteAggravated indecent assault w/o consent Felony 2
Corruption of minors Felony 3 (She was providing alcohol and drugs and pornography, as I understand it).
Unlawful contact with minors - sexual offenses, Felony 2
Hmmmmm. I'm hesitant to comment not knowing the specifics, but I generally applaud the idea of giving people a second chance when they've screwed up. Of course there are a lot of variables there -- how severe were the crimes, how did they affect the victims, what were their potential long-term effects, etc.
ReplyDeleteI guess my point was different. It was not so much about 'second chances', which I also applaud, generally speaking. My point is more about consequences. Sometimes, consequences seem to fall more lightly on some than others. I'm just fascinated by the fact that someone can do something awful, and still be surrounded by a people that see them as 'good'. Worthwhile. Worth the second chance. Other people never see that kind of grace extended to them. They never get that second chance.
DeletePeople can happily ignore bad things from people they like. Case in point: #45.
ReplyDeleteTruth!
Delete“Tim is quite ill.” Oh Debby, please don't leave us worried. What has happened? 🙏🏻 Kris
ReplyDeleteHe just suddenly became ill with some pretty awful gastro symptoms. Since his stroke was preceded by some serious dehydration issues, this is nerve wracking for me. He is sick.
DeleteOh no! Sorry about Tim! Please let us know what's going on when you have a chance.
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean about consequences and how some people seem to be treated more gently than others for roughly equivalent offenses. That's definitely true.
Sending best wishes your way!❤️Ricki
ReplyDeleteSince I'm a retired teacher, I'm appalled that this woman getting a moderate sentencing.
ReplyDelete