Feb 18, 2007 11:48 am US/Eastern
Howard Co. Teacher Accused Of Sleeping With Teen
by Mike Hellgren
Columbia, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Kirsten Ann Kinley, a 27-year-old Howard County teacher, is charged with sex crimes (WJZ)
WJZ
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Howard County Police charge a high school teacher with multiple sex offenses involving a male teenager. (File)
For the third time in a month and a half, a Howard County teacher is accused of sexually abusing a student.
Friday night, the superintendent is speaking out, saying his school system is safe. Police say a student revealed to his therapist that he'd had sex with a teacher now employed at Marriott's Ridge High School.
Three teachers in Howard County public schools have been charged with sex crimes this year, putting some parents on edge.
Police say the new charges are against Kirsten Ann Kinley, a 27-year-old teacher at Marriott's Ridge High.
"There's certainly nothing magical about Howard County," said parent Ed Hartman. It's bad that it's happening."
Investigators say a teenage boy claims she had sex with him. They say she was teaching at Hammond Middle School at the time, but the accuser was never in her class.
"He revealed some of this information to a therapist. Police were contacted," said Sherry Llewellyn, Howard County Police.
These charges follow two unrelated cases. The first, at Glen Elg High School, where police say a teacher exposed himself to a 17-year-old, forced her to touch his penis, and sent nude pictures of himself in sex acts.
The second involved a teacher at River Hill High School. Police say he told a 16-year-old male student to come to the school where he set up camera equipment and snapped naked photos.
Superintendent Dr. Sydney Cousin says all teachers undergo yearly training on appropriate behavior.
"We have an obligation that we provide a safe environment for students," Cousin said.
In the newest case, police say the Marriott's Ridge teacher turned herself in, that she knew of the open investigation.
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"She's very nice, got to be really good friends with us," said student Ryan Balaban.
The superintendent says he wants allegations like these to be investigated because that truly will provide the safe environment students deserve.
Teacher Kirsten Ann Kinley is now free on $75,000 bond. Police say her accuser said he met her through a friend.
Police say the alleged sex acts happened several years ago.
All of these teachers are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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