A Disturbing Trend Continues

Michigan middle school teacher Laura L. Findlay is the latest example of an all-too-familiar trend: (emphasis ours)

A former middle school band teacher admitted she had sexual contact with six male students and entered a guilty plea one day before her trial was scheduled to start.

Laura L. Findlay, 32, pleaded guilty Thursday in Saginaw County Circuit Court to 22 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 16.

Under an agreement with prosecutors, she faces at least seven years in prison at sentencing Aug. 17, though the judge could sentence her to up to life in prison. Defense lawyer James F. Piazza said his client might withdraw her plea if the sentence exceeds seven years.

Prosecutors say Findlay had sexual contact with male students from Ricker Middle School in Buena Vista Township over five months in 2004-2005. She had taught at the school for seven years.

Assistant prosecutor James T. Borchard said the students and their parents agreed with the plea deal.

There has got to be some way to stop this once and for all.

Every single time an educator is found to have betrayed the public's trust by engaging in this type of criminal behavior, it only serves to do further harm to the professional reputation of all who work with children.

There should be some special type of hell for teachers who sexually molest children. ---------------------------See our latest education-related entries right here.