Should Mom Be Punished for Giving "Go-Go" Juice to Toddler?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Janice C Cook on February 1, 2012 at 9:03am

Of course this isn't safe for a child, but look at the types of parenting that permeate shows like this. I can't say that I am surprised. I cringe at the thought of my daughter drinking Mountain Dew by itself. I can't imagine allowing a small child to have redbull. This woman should win the Mother of the Year award.

That being said, how to do we go about punishing bad parenting choices? This country is sick with snack food/fast food junkies, but can we really regulate what goes into the mouths of other parent's children? We can shame, dare I say, idiots like this; yet, as long as the children are healthy enough, there isn't much we can do.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Sabin on February 1, 2012 at 10:00am

Of course it is a type of drugging. Millions of people do it every day. Caffeine is a socially acceptable stimulant. It really isn't much different than a mother giving her kid dramamine so they will sleep during an airline flight. As an occasional tool, it is no big deal.

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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on February 1, 2012 at 11:38am

It's not right, it would be hard to police something like this. It is not illegal to drink Mountain Dew...but we all know it has one of the highest caffeine contents of all sodas and I never let my children drink it....but my son drinks Coke sometimes....is that so much better?? It's an occasional treat...just like all the other junk out there...but the fact that she is using the drink as a stimulant to enhance her daughter's performance...and she admits to that (possibly giving other train wreck pageant moms more bad ideas)...that doesn't seem right to me. 

Add a splash of Redbull to a Mountain Dew and you're pushing it...I hope the little girls in the story doesn't have a hidden heart defect because this combination could have a dire effect on her! I didn't read the article but I wonder if they got a Dr's opinion on this practice.

What grounds would they have to investigate....being clueless? They would have to investigate half of America!  Sounds like Mom could use some parenting classes...In a way, it's good she came forward so she can be educated on how to raise a healthy, happy child and not just a child star.

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Permalink Reply by Shane on February 1, 2012 at 3:21pm

My reply is in regards to the comment, that parents should be shamed for bad parenting choices, such as giving snack food/fast food junkies that goes into the mouths of children.  Other than shaming, can "we" really regulate what goes into the mouth of other parent's childrens.  That those parents that allow their children to have snack food/fast food, becoming fast food junkies are "idiots," but there is little that we can do.

 

I find the preceding thought process and preceived accusation somewhat distrubing, with what little definition given as to what may be acceptable, the amount consumed, and how often the forbidden gingersnap, honeybun or double chocolate chip cookie, etc. can be given to one's child before getting the scarlet letter of condemnation that is to be stamped to one's reputation.  Would there be special papal dispensation, or humanist decree, granting both the birthday girl or boy, and their guests to partake of extra icing on the birthday cake and a scoop of icecream on the side.  How often could this decree or dispensation be granted in a years time?  I mean, think of the ramications of those children that are part of a large family or social group. Conceivably, some unlucky children could be subjected to undue sweets weekly, while the lucky or some would say blessed children that have very few friends and extended family, may actually only partake of the forbidden nectar of sugar icing covering a sweet cake of different favors and creaming rich icecream, on a few occasions if any per year. Does the flower girl and ring boy, due to their important stature in the uniting of two adults in a lifetime of bliss, get to sample both the wedding and groom cake?  While leaving the other little boys and girls attending this joyous ceremony, licking their lips with salvating anxiety. Just where does pancakes, hot and fluffy, with maple syrup, get grouped? Strawberry shortcake, hold the whip creme and the cake.  But wait.  Low fat whip creme.  So Plant City, here we go, just hold the cake. 

 

So now that we have partially settled the sugar cookie, glazed donut, and yahoo plague.  What about shaming those parents that allow their charges under the age of sixteen that play video games on hour after hours, along with the watching of an eternity of  television and computer screen usage, when the sun is out and the weather is agreeable. You don't see or hear many children out of doors, do you!  It would seem, that four or more hours of outdoor activity, per one hour of television or computer usage would be a place to start.  I mean, just what kind of parent are you?  Allowing "your" children to become slouches and silly putty in physique. Living their four score and some, before dust, by merely observing others live their lives on the tely.  Such a waste to be an observer of the life of others and make believe stories,  When life lived, affords riches beyond that of a sound track playing to someone elses tune.  How about shaming parents that allow adult sexual activity to be viewed, by children before they're ready to understand and comprehend all that sex entails. The good, very good that sex can be, at the appropiate time and situation. Along with the explaining and teaching of the flip side of everything, including sex.  Which can be quite dark and dangerous, and injurious to one's person.

 

No, I guess I'll flip an angry glance at the parent with their child at the tasty-freeze.  While ignoring the plight of children physical and mental inactivity, and the sexual perversion allowed to model a young child before they're ready.

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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on February 1, 2012 at 6:15pm

All of what you mention is disturbing on some level, when it is not monitored, forbidden and/or controlled by the parents (depending on which behavior you are talking about)....but the article is about a mom who made a specific bad parenting choice involving giving her child stimulants in oder for her to perform better in a pageant. I feel she's too young for that. She will learn about No-doze in college....why should she start in pre-k? Starting this young could be dangerous.

I can see where you are coming from in that we shouldn't judge when we allow our own children to do other things that are bad for them....and who's to say what is the acceptable amount of junk food....some of that is common sense though. If you see your child becoming obese, having health issues, bad teeth, etc, it may be time to cut down on the junk...they may have to sit out a few birthday parties or just skip the cake for the sake of their well-beng. Some parents don't do this, and the children really need guidance to make good food choices because they can not shop for themselves.

Shane said:

My reply is in regards to the comment, that parents should be shamed for bad parenting choices, such as giving snack food/fast food junkies that goes into the mouths of children.  Other than shaming, can "we" really regulate what goes into the mouth of other parent's childrens.  That those parents that allow their children to have snack food/fast food, becoming fast food junkies are "idiots," but there is little that we can do.

 

I find the preceding thought process and preceived accusation somewhat distrubing, with what little definition given as to what may be acceptable, the amount consumed, and how often the forbidden gingersnap, honeybun or double chocolate chip cookie, etc. can be given to one's child before getting the scarlet letter of condemnation that is to be stamped to one's reputation.  Would there be special papal dispensation, or humanist decree, granting both the birthday girl or boy, and their guests to partake of extra icing on the birthday cake and a scoop of icecream on the side.  How often could this decree or dispensation be granted in a years time?  I mean, think of the ramications of those children that are part of a large family or social group. Conceivably, some unlucky children could be subjected to undue sweets weekly, while the lucky or some would say blessed children that have very few friends and extended family, may actually only partake of the forbidden nectar of sugar icing covering a sweet cake of different favors and creaming rich icecream, on a few occasions if any per year. Does the flower girl and ring boy, due to their important stature in the uniting of two adults in a lifetime of bliss, get to sample both the wedding and groom cake?  While leaving the other little boys and girls attending this joyous ceremony, licking their lips with salvating anxiety. Just where does pancakes, hot and fluffy, with maple syrup, get grouped? Strawberry shortcake, hold the whip creme and the cake.  But wait.  Low fat whip creme.  So Plant City, here we go, just hold the cake. 

 

So now that we have partially settled the sugar cookie, glazed donut, and yahoo plague.  What about shaming those parents that allow their charges under the age of sixteen that play video games on hour after hours, along with the watching of an eternity of  television and computer screen usage, when the sun is out and the weather is agreeable. You don't see or hear many children out of doors, do you!  It would seem, that four or more hours of outdoor activity, per one hour of television or computer usage would be a place to start.  I mean, just what kind of parent are you?  Allowing "your" children to become slouches and silly putty in physique. Living their four score and some, before dust, by merely observing others live their lives on the tely.  Such a waste to be an observer of the life of others and make believe stories,  When life lived, affords riches beyond that of a sound track playing to someone elses tune.  How about shaming parents that allow adult sexual activity to be viewed, by children before they're ready to understand and comprehend all that sex entails. The good, very good that sex can be, at the appropiate time and situation. Along with the explaining and teaching of the flip side of everything, including sex.  Which can be quite dark and dangerous, and injurious to one's person.

 

No, I guess I'll flip an angry glance at the parent with their child at the tasty-freeze.  While ignoring the plight of children physical and mental inactivity, and the sexual perversion allowed to model a young child before they're ready.

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Permalink Reply by Janice C Cook on February 1, 2012 at 8:58pm

This article has nothing to do with a child partaking in a tasty freeze and everything to do with a mother who is over-stimulating her very young child with large doses of caffeine. Though your reply is beautifully written, derailing an argument into several directions doesn't make a justified point. My comments stand. This is bad and potentially dangerous parental decision making, and programs like this often spotlight these types of parents. Of course we can't regulate other people's parenting, but that doesn't mean their choices are appropriate or healthy in any way. Public discourse and education is the only thing that will help solve the problem. And if I had the chance to stand in front of this woman, I would tell her, "shame on you for drugging your daughter and teaching her that taking stimulants is the way to win." Then I would give my daughter her daily self-chosen snack and watch her trot away to the playground with enough energy to take on the big kid jungle-gym.

 
Shane said:

My reply is in regards to the comment, that parents should be shamed for bad parenting choices, such as giving snack food/fast food junkies that goes into the mouths of children.  Other than shaming, can "we" really regulate what goes into the mouth of other parent's childrens.  That those parents that allow their children to have snack food/fast food, becoming fast food junkies are "idiots," but there is little that we can do.

 

I find the preceding thought process and preceived accusation somewhat distrubing, with what little definition given as to what may be acceptable, the amount consumed, and how often the forbidden gingersnap, honeybun or double chocolate chip cookie, etc. can be given to one's child before getting the scarlet letter of condemnation that is to be stamped to one's reputation.  Would there be special papal dispensation, or humanist decree, granting both the birthday girl or boy, and their guests to partake of extra icing on the birthday cake and a scoop of icecream on the side.  How often could this decree or dispensation be granted in a years time?  I mean, think of the ramications of those children that are part of a large family or social group. Conceivably, some unlucky children could be subjected to undue sweets weekly, while the lucky or some would say blessed children that have very few friends and extended family, may actually only partake of the forbidden nectar of sugar icing covering a sweet cake of different favors and creaming rich icecream, on a few occasions if any per year. Does the flower girl and ring boy, due to their important stature in the uniting of two adults in a lifetime of bliss, get to sample both the wedding and groom cake?  While leaving the other little boys and girls attending this joyous ceremony, licking their lips with salvating anxiety. Just where does pancakes, hot and fluffy, with maple syrup, get grouped? Strawberry shortcake, hold the whip creme and the cake.  But wait.  Low fat whip creme.  So Plant City, here we go, just hold the cake. 

 

So now that we have partially settled the sugar cookie, glazed donut, and yahoo plague.  What about shaming those parents that allow their charges under the age of sixteen that play video games on hour after hours, along with the watching of an eternity of  television and computer screen usage, when the sun is out and the weather is agreeable. You don't see or hear many children out of doors, do you!  It would seem, that four or more hours of outdoor activity, per one hour of television or computer usage would be a place to start.  I mean, just what kind of parent are you?  Allowing "your" children to become slouches and silly putty in physique. Living their four score and some, before dust, by merely observing others live their lives on the tely.  Such a waste to be an observer of the life of others and make believe stories,  When life lived, affords riches beyond that of a sound track playing to someone elses tune.  How about shaming parents that allow adult sexual activity to be viewed, by children before they're ready to understand and comprehend all that sex entails. The good, very good that sex can be, at the appropiate time and situation. Along with the explaining and teaching of the flip side of everything, including sex.  Which can be quite dark and dangerous, and injurious to one's person.

 

No, I guess I'll flip an angry glance at the parent with their child at the tasty-freeze.  While ignoring the plight of children physical and mental inactivity, and the sexual perversion allowed to model a young child before they're ready.

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Permalink Reply by Janice C Cook on February 1, 2012 at 9:37pm

Also, nice paraphrase, but you left out a very important phrase. I mentioned the words fast food/snack food junkies. There is a huge difference between allowing a child to gorge themselves on unhealthy foods and allowing a child an occasional splurge. You can think my thoughts as disturbing as you'd like, but mine aren't physically nor mentally detrimental to a young and impressionable child.  
 
Shane said:

My reply is in regards to the comment, that parents should be shamed for bad parenting choices, such as giving snack food/fast food junkies that goes into the mouths of children.  Other than shaming, can "we" really regulate what goes into the mouth of other parent's childrens.  That those parents that allow their children to have snack food/fast food, becoming fast food junkies are "idiots," but there is little that we can do.

 

I find the preceding thought process and preceived accusation somewhat distrubing, with what little definition given as to what may be acceptable, the amount consumed, and how often the forbidden gingersnap, honeybun or double chocolate chip cookie, etc. can be given to one's child before getting the scarlet letter of condemnation that is to be stamped to one's reputation.  Would there be special papal dispensation, or humanist decree, granting both the birthday girl or boy, and their guests to partake of extra icing on the birthday cake and a scoop of icecream on the side.  How often could this decree or dispensation be granted in a years time?  I mean, think of the ramications of those children that are part of a large family or social group. Conceivably, some unlucky children could be subjected to undue sweets weekly, while the lucky or some would say blessed children that have very few friends and extended family, may actually only partake of the forbidden nectar of sugar icing covering a sweet cake of different favors and creaming rich icecream, on a few occasions if any per year. Does the flower girl and ring boy, due to their important stature in the uniting of two adults in a lifetime of bliss, get to sample both the wedding and groom cake?  While leaving the other little boys and girls attending this joyous ceremony, licking their lips with salvating anxiety. Just where does pancakes, hot and fluffy, with maple syrup, get grouped? Strawberry shortcake, hold the whip creme and the cake.  But wait.  Low fat whip creme.  So Plant City, here we go, just hold the cake. 

 

So now that we have partially settled the sugar cookie, glazed donut, and yahoo plague.  What about shaming those parents that allow their charges under the age of sixteen that play video games on hour after hours, along with the watching of an eternity of  television and computer screen usage, when the sun is out and the weather is agreeable. You don't see or hear many children out of doors, do you!  It would seem, that four or more hours of outdoor activity, per one hour of television or computer usage would be a place to start.  I mean, just what kind of parent are you?  Allowing "your" children to become slouches and silly putty in physique. Living their four score and some, before dust, by merely observing others live their lives on the tely.  Such a waste to be an observer of the life of others and make believe stories,  When life lived, affords riches beyond that of a sound track playing to someone elses tune.  How about shaming parents that allow adult sexual activity to be viewed, by children before they're ready to understand and comprehend all that sex entails. The good, very good that sex can be, at the appropiate time and situation. Along with the explaining and teaching of the flip side of everything, including sex.  Which can be quite dark and dangerous, and injurious to one's person.

 

No, I guess I'll flip an angry glance at the parent with their child at the tasty-freeze.  While ignoring the plight of children physical and mental inactivity, and the sexual perversion allowed to model a young child before they're ready.

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Permalink Reply by Shane on February 1, 2012 at 11:01pm

That being said, how to do we go about punishing bad parenting choices? This country is sick with snack food/fast food junkies, but can we really regulate what goes into the mouths of other parent's children? We can shame, dare I say, idiots like this; yet, as long as the children are healthy enough, there isn't much we can do.

 

My previous comment, dealt soley with the above statement.  Which ignores the purpose for this thread topic, that being Mountain Dew and Red Bull, aka, Go-Go Juice.  I purposely ignored the issue of Go-Go Juice used by a pageant mom on her child, because of a possible more damaging point raised in the before mentioned bold / italic paragraph.  That being freedom.  Freedom not only of parents to raise their own children they way they see fit, except in rare and extreme cases of parental neglect or abuse.  Because if we are going to shame parents and families, and call them out as idiots if "seen" out with their children consuming snack food/fast food junkies, and wishes to regulate what other parents allow to go into the mouths of their children.  Then shame on those that overlook other more damaging poor parenting skills, that appears to affict most of our neighbor's and friends, in which they allow excessive television watching and computer usage, most of which is un-supervised. Where are those judges of gastronomical intake, that overlook the healthy need of imagination that is so important in the development of both early and middle childhood.  Imagination that is gleaned from being outdoors, exploring the real world and the physical enviroment.  Not being mesmerized by pixel count, while sitting on their duffs for hours on end, with glazed eyes.  What happened to reading,when night comes, but the sand man is still distanced. How about those parents which have, and without parental restrictions, MTV, Showtime, etc., being view by their young children. Songs and videos of violence, abuse to women and others.  Inappropiate sexual content for those too young, and not ready.  How about those parents that don't discuss.  Discuss those issues, which mature adults need to know, to be able to function, be safe and protect themself from harm?  Interest, and how that half off outfit, ends up costing three times the original price, if minimum payments or less or made.  One should never while driving a car, swerves and makes a hard brake for an animal smaller than a full grown bovine or equine.  Better to slow, but not hard brake for that dog, cat or fox, than lose control and hit a tree, or overturn in a ditch. If someone presses too hard on a subject, such as a purchase or investment, and that the offer sounds too good to be true.  It's most assuredly is not true, and not a sound purchase or investment. How about that parent that takes the time for their own needs, but only minimal time for their progeny.  Gee, the list could go on.  But we only know a small part of any family story.  There could be reasons for all of the above to occur, without the parents being royal jerks. So until we regulate the greater dangers to our children, and ourselves, I'll leave the food regulation to the individual family unit. 

P.S.  Getting to the Go-Go juice. I'd have to study the effects of that combo before making a hard decision. It sounds odd on the face of it, but may or may not do any harm.

P.S.S.  My family medicated us with "hot totties" when sick with a sore throat and stuffy chest and clogged nasal. Hot tea, jack daniels, honey and lemon.  In full disclosure, my three children also were medicated with the same remedy when the situation called. It seemed to work.

My dad would also blow smoke form a cigarette in my ear, when I was very small and had a terrible ear ache. No tubes, no emergency room, no continued problems. 

 

So judge away.

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Permalink Reply by Shane on February 1, 2012 at 11:32pm

Janice Cook, my previous comment may have come off harder than I wished, when directing my comment to you.  My apology.  I'm fairly sure, that if we were to sit down and discuss our dreams for our children and desires for a better community and world.  We would be much in agreement.  As typical, each of us humans comes from a different background and have our own perspective. So how we react to issues, often times comes out differently. So if my comment to you seemed harsh, that was not my intent, and my mistake.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Janice C Cook on February 3, 2012 at 2:27pm

No offense taken. I realize both that I take a hard-line stance on this issue and that I was not politically correct when calling this mother an idiot. I am simply tired of people, who should know better, making decisions for their children that have potentially deadly side effects. This woman is leading her child down a path of self destructive nutritional habits that may lead to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. In addition, the effects of caffeine on the physiology of a child is of concern. And have you read about the cases of something called Mountain Dew mouth in Indiana? The side effects of prolonged exposure to acidic beverages is devastating on the enamel of both deciduous and newly erupted teeth.

Childhood health is a concern near and dear to my heart, especially since bad nutrition is one of the easiest problems a parent can solve. As long as a balanced diet is upheld, treats can and should be enjoyed on a moderate basis. Because we can’t force parents to do what is best for their children, I choose the educate and shame method. Perhaps if a parent is told that what he or she is doing can cause ill side-effects, he or she might make better decisions regarding their offspring. I can live with that.

Also, I agree completely that there are larger problems at work with children in the U.S. The eyeball glue that comes with television programming and video-games is causing an even greater number of people to lead sedentary lifestyles. This only serves to exacerbate our health problems especially when in conjunction with improper diet. And yes, children are being sexualized at increasingly younger ages. It is an irritation to see mothers allowing elementary school age girls to wear sweatpants with  juicy or sexy scrawled across the bum. These are just two more cases where we can not control what other parents choose to allow their children to do. However, I can’t sit idly by and allow reason to not be heard.

People should know better. Some of the things we did as children, hot toddy cures for example, were probably not the best ideas (especially since alcohol actually works to dehydrate and can worsen a cold) but they came from old wisdom that had been passed down through enculturation and really did no harm. These more harmful large scale problems are things that should be solved, and not passed on to new generations.

 

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Permalink Reply by Just Jen on February 3, 2012 at 3:14pm

For what its worth my brother knows a chemist at a university in California who ran tests on red bull. His conclusions were that its stimulant qualities make its effects close to that of cocaine. The ingredients are all legal, no information was given to say it would be addicting. I doubt anyone has tested to find out a recommended serving size for a toddler. You'll never see that stuff served up to my kid, I prefer he not have soda or caffeinated tea. He can discover coffee in college for finals like I did.

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Permalink Reply by Shane on February 5, 2012 at 4:29pm

Janice, thank you for your pleasant reply to my previous comment(s).  Adult discussion, and even disagreement of the issues, is helpful to all parties concerned.  For none of us have are even close to having all the answers to life's problems and disputes. Those that think they do, are the least unlikely to come up with the correct response(s).

The following is provided with thanks to 18watt, who was commenting to recent articles concerning lewd behavior at various parks in Polk County. While 18watts list of teacher "sexpidemic" cases provided is a little (very little) distanced from the issue of what occurs in public parks on a too often occurence. The following list, which is not all inclusive of the problem, explains my rationale to my previous two comments on this thread. Bascially being that most of our fellow citizens and civic leaders, either have no issue with the debasement of society all around us, or chose to go after the "jay-walkers" of the world while leaving the seriously villainous ignored. Children and families are falling to the wayside, all in full view.  While society as a whole, indicates that they don't care, by their response or lack of it.

Here is a list of the teacher ‘sexpidemic’ cases WND has documented where female teachers have been accused, or convicted, of assaulting students:

Abbie Jane Swogger, 34: Teacher’s aide at Highlands Senior High School in Harrison, Pa., was arrested Feb. 22, 2008, for renting a hotel room where police found beer, marijuana, an open condom wrapper and at least four teenage girls and boys, including several of her 15-year-old son’s friends. Though categorically denying rumors she was having sex with students from the school, Swogger was quoted as saying, “I was stupid, very stupid. I already know I was and I can understand you looking at me wrong. It’s the biggest mistake I ever made in my whole life.” Police allege Swogger “asked or encouraged” two 15-year-old runaway girls to have sex with her. According to a police papers, Swogger admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old boy and asked police, “How serious is that?” The one-time exotic dancer resigned Feb. 25, 2008. Swogger accepted a 3- to-6-year jail term that included a 36-year probation on May 26, 2009. “I’m sorry I was not the role model I should have been. I’m really sorry,” she told the judge.

Abigail Holloway, 33 The former gym teacher at the Christian prep school, Kings Academy, in Sunnyvale, Calif., was arrested March 5, 2009, at St. Mary’s Academy in Englewood, Colorado, where she was working, on charges stemming from an alleged sexual relationship with a female student lasting from 2001 to 2005. The girl, now a student at Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., told a school counselor about the relationship that had occurred in California beginning when she was 13. During that time, according to the girl, she and Holloway were intimate “over 100 times.” “We have a very special relationship. It is a gift from God,” states an alleged e-mail from Holloway to the girl in March 2003. “Not many people are going to understand that, but we know in our hearts that God made us for each other!” Holloway is fighting extradition.

Adrianne Hockett: Accused of having sex with a 16-year-old special-needs student in a Houston apartment she rented for the get-togethers. The boy has testified the pair would “have sex, drink beer and smoke weed.”

Adrienne Laflamme, 60: Science teacher at the Brevard County Juvenile Detention Center in Cocoa, Fla., was arrested June 25, 2008, for having a four-week heated affair with an inmate student, 17, within days of his release. The boy’s mother said the teacher regularly picked him up from their home to have sex at her own residence. Laflamme had sex with the student at least 15 times, including one threesome with a 14-year-old boy. She has been charged with 15 counts of unlawful sex with minors and one count of filing a false police report.

Alison Mosbeck, 33: History teacher at Dueitt Middle School in the Spring, Texas, school district was arrested Oct. 26, 2007, for allegedly having intercourse at least three times with one of her students, a 14-year-old boy. The mother of one of the students’ friends saw text messages from Mosbeck on the student’s cellphone and alerted authorities.

Alison Peck, 23: Former teacher at Greenfield High School in Greenfield, Mo., was charged May 22, 2009, in Green County with statuatory rape after convincing two friends to help her spend a night at a motel in Springfield with a 16-year-old boy who used to be her student. Peck had already been charged in Dade County on May 14 with having sexual relations with the boy at a park in that county sometime between January and March. On the day after receiving that citation, she arranged with friends to meet the boy at the Springfield motel. On May 17, she was charged with statuatory sodomy and statuatory rape because the boy told the detective that he had liaisons with Peck at her home in Mount Vernon. Judges have set bonds of $2,500 in Dade County, $10,000 in Lawrence County, and $200,000 in Greene County and Leo has been issued a no-contact order, told to stay 1,000 feet away from the boy’s home and school and to surrender her passport.

Allenna Ward, 24: Minister’s daughter from Laurens County, S.C., was a second-year teacher at Bell Street Middle School in Clinton, S.C., when she was fired Feb. 28, 2007, for allegedly having sex with at least five boys. Some of the purported victims, ages 14 and 15, were students at Ward’s school. Authorities say the married woman had sex with the boys not only on campus, but also at a motel, in a park and behind a restaurant. On Sept. 6, 2007, Ward pleaded guilty to six charges – three second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and three lewd acts on a minor. “Today, I publicly admit my guilt and would like to apologize. I sincerely apologize for the effects of my actions,” she told the court. On Feb. 19, 2008, she was sentenced to six years in prison.

Amy Beck, 33: Teacher at David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank, Calif., surrendered to police March 8, 2010, apparently overcome by guilt, according to authorities. She allegedly had a sexual relationship with one of her male students, who was 14 at the time, from March to September 2009. Beck was charged with five counts, including four counts of unlawful sex with a person under 16 and one count of oral copulation with a person under 16. She faces up a maximum sentence of up to seven years in state prison.

Amy Bramhall, 33: Education technician was arrested in January 2006 after a 15-year-old boy at the alternative education school in Warren, Maine, told police he had an ongoing sexual relationship with her. Flirting allegedly eventually led to an estimated 200 sexual encounters. In December 2006, she received three and half years in prison, with all but one year suspended, and four years probation.

Amy Elder, 28: Ripley High School teacher and softball coach in Memphis, Tenn., was indicted June 4, 2008, on 15 counts, including rape and sexual assault, after allegedly having had sexual relations with two female students. “I’d heard rumors going around school that she’s seeing girls not guys,” said one student, “but it wasn’t none of my business.”

Amy Gail Lilley, 36: Inverness, Fla., woman and softball coach at Lecanto High School charged with a lesbian relationship with a 15-year-old girl. She received no prison time, being sentenced in January 2006 to two years of house arrest and eight more years of probation.

Amy McElhenney, 25: Charged with having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old male student, the 25-year-old Hebron High School Spanish teacher and former Miss Texas contestant will not be serving any jail time after a Denton County, Texas, grand jury refused to issue an indictment in September 2006. While the age of consent in Texas is 17 years, a state law bans sexual relationships between educators and students even if the student is of legal age and the relationship is consensual. She could have faced 20 years in prison if indicted and convicted.

Andrea Martinez, 26: Schoolteacher with the Stanfield Elementary School District in Maricopa County, Ariz., was arrested June 30, 2010, when police, using night-vision goggles from a distance, observed two individuals in her white SUV appearing to have consensual sexual intercourse. Officers learned that the male in the car was only 14 years old and a former student of Martinez. Reportedly, both admitted to having sexual intercourse before the officers arrived and the teen claimed the same had happened the previous month.

Angela “Angel” Simmons Lindle, 37: The Edgewood Middle School science teacher was arrested by Ninety Six, S.C., authorities on Feb. 20, 2009, following an investigation of allegations of a sexual relationship with a make student, 15. The boy, 14 at the time the relationship began, described numerous encounters with Lindle and, according to warrants, Lindle admitted to 7 charges. On March 21, 2009, while out on bail, Lindle was found dead in her home, apparantly from a self-inflicted gun shot.

 

Angela Stellwag, 24: Delran, N.J., woman accused of having sex in her apartment with a 14-year-old boy she met in school. She was charged with sexual assault for activity that allegedly took place in August 2004. She pleaded not guilty in August 2006.

Anna Bettencourt, 38: The teacher at Bliss High School in Gooding County, Idaho, was arraigned on Feb. 18, 2009, on two counts of sexual battery of a minor child 16 years of age. Due to an undisclosed conflict of interest, the prosecuting attorney’s office will petition the court to appoint a special prosecutor.

Anne Knopf, 39: Former substitute teacher at Prescott Middle School in Wisconsin was charged Nov. 5, 2007, with sexual assault of a child under 16. She is accused of having a sexual relationship with the 13-year-old former boyfriend of her own daughter.

April Watson, 33 and Ashley Burkett, 31 : Two Jay High School teachers in Jay, Fla., were arrested Aug. 6, 2009 on charges that they had sex in their homes with teenage boys in 2007. “The investigation was initiated on July 28, 2009 after an anonymous letter was sent to the Santa Rosa County School District alleging sexual relationships between two Jay High School teachers and male juveniles,” Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Scott Haines said. The alleged activity took place between July and Cotober 2007 at the two teachers’ residences. Burkett taught reading and special education students and was assistant volleyball coach last school year, according to the Jay High School web site. Watson taught math and was the advisor for the junior varsity cheerleaders, also according to the school web site. Watson was to be the varsity cheerleader sponsor for the upcoming school year and Burkett was to be the varsity volleyball coach.

Ashley Flores, 26: Former East Junior High teacher in Ponca City, Okla., was charged Oct. 1, 2008, with second-degree rape after prosecutors said she had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old former student over the summer. According to the court affidavit, Flores had sex with the boy at her home while her own children were there.

Autumn Leathers, 24: English teacher at Mountain Ridge High School in Alleghany County, Md., was arrested Aug. 20, 2008, for allegedly having a sexual relationship with one of her 16-year-old students. Officers say they were contacted by a resident, who noticed the student at Leathers’ home several times in the late evening. Leathers was sentenced to five years of unsupervised probation on April 1, 2009. She was also required to register as a sex offender for her conviction on one count of fourth-degree sex offense. A one-year jail term was suspended during her court appearance. Leathers pleaded guilty to the crime in January. In return, the state dropped more serious charges, including child abuse and assault.

Barbara Anderson, 37:
Math teacher at Kentlake High School in King County, Wash., was booked March 17, 2011, on felony charges for allegedly having sex with one of her 17-year-old students. According to court documents, Anderson was the boy’s math teacher and after-school tutor during his sophomore year. Seattle’s KOMO-TV reports school officials initially contacted authorities March 8 after the boy’s mother approached Kentlake staff members. The mom reportedly became suspicious about the relationship after seeing an large number of text messages between her son and the teacher. Anderson allegedly texted the boy roughly 800 times, including more than 100 texts in a 24-hour period. The teen also told his uncle “he was getting laid by a teacher.”

Becci Hill, 31: Martinsville, Ind., counselor at Sanders School in Wayne Township arrested in 2006 for for sexual activity with a 15-year-old autistic boy. Prosecutors say what started as a mentor relationship turned into a sexual liaison that lasted a year. Hill would allegedly park her car down the street from the boy’s home, and he would climb out his window to meet her in the middle of the night. In January 2007, Hill pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a minor, and was given a two-year prison sentence and forced to register as a sex offender.

Beth Ann Chester, 27: Former Moon Area High School health and gym teacher in Pittsburgh was sentenced to 1 1/2 to 3 years in jail on Aug. 20, 2008, after pleading guilty to three charges stemming from the romantic relationship she had with a then-14-year-old boy. Chester, who was married, admitted to having sex with the boy numerous times, including once in the school parking lot. Her husband filed for divorce a month after her January 2008 arrest.

Beth Raymond, 31: Private-school employee from Pownal, Maine, charged with risk of injury to a minor and second-degree sexual assault of a juvenile male at Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, Conn. In July 2006, she was sentenced to 18 months prison.

Beth Shepherd, 34:
Special-education teacher at Reed High School in Washoe County, Nev., was arrested April 22, 2011, for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with two 17-year-old male students inside her personal vehicle away from school grounds. She faced felony counts of sexual conduct between a school employee and a pupil. She reportedly told investigators that one student forced her to engage in sexual activities, while she denied any contact with the other.

Bethany Sherrill, 24: Daughter-in-law of school-board president charged with molesting a 15-year-old middle-school student. Reports state Sherill allegedly had oral sex with the boy and sent him coded text messages. She resigned her position at Jefferson Elementary School in Farmington, Mo., in February 2005 and eventually received 90 days in jail and two years probation, and was forced to register as a sex offender.

Brandy Lynn Gonzales, 27: The Houston-area teacher and her husband were arrested in December 2006 for sexually assaulting students at an elementary school two years earlier. Prosecutors allege that Gonzales met a student at a local movie theater, where she performed oral sex on the boy as well as another student at the theater. Husband Johnny Gonzales is also charged with having performed sex acts with one teen. Prosecutors told the judge they have sufficient evidence to file further charges.

Brenda Baillargeon, 39: Teacher’s aide in the Amery School District of Polk County, Wis., charged in November 2007 with having sex with a 16-year-old male student. The illicit seven-month sexual relationship with the high-school student she tutored included road trips and sneaking into his home in the early-morning hours for sex, according to the criminal complaint. She was his first love, and they planned to be married after she got a divorce, court records stated.

Brenda Osborne, 43: Former Xenia High School volleyball coach and counselor in Xenia, Ohio, was arrested Sept. 3, 2009, and charged with having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a female student. While she initially denied the charge, in March, Osborne changed her plea to guilty to a charge of sexual battery, and was sentenced June 30, 2010, to six months in jail and five years probation.

Brittni Colleps, 27: English teacher at Kennedale High School in Arlington, Texas, was arrested May 16, 2011, for allegedly having sex with five male students. The mother of three whose husband is in the military was charged with five counts of having an improper relationship with a student. All of the students involved were 18 or older, but it’s a second-degree felony offense for teachers to have a sexual relationship with a student. The first student who had intercourse with Colleps said that he and the four other teens had sex with Colleps on “multiple occasions” at her residence, according to an affidavit. On at least one occasion, all five students were in the same room at the time the sexual acts were taking place, with video footage being recorded.

Cameo Patch, 29: Substitute teacher at Tooele High School in Tooele, Utah, arrested for allegedly performing oral sex on a 17-year-old male student. The sexual activity was allegedly consensual, and reportedly took place off school grounds after the pair had exchanged phone numbers in a restaurant. In November 2006, Patch was sentenced to no jail time, despite comments from the judge that a man would have likely gone to prison.

Carol Flannigan, 50: Boca Raton, Fla., music teacher reportedly slept with 11-year-old former student, and also had a simultaneous sexual relationship with the boy’s father. In a deposition, the boy’s father said he had the same sort of sexual relationship with Flannigan that ex-President Bill Clinton had with Monica Lewinsky. In February 2006, Flannigan was sentenced to five years prison as part of a plea deal.

Carrie McCandless, 29: The former Colorado social-studies teacher, who also happens to be married to the principal, was charged in November 2006 with having had sexual contact with a 17-year-old male student during an overnight school camping trip. The instructor, who also coached cheerleading, pleaded guilty April 24, 2007, to felonies of tampering with physical evidence and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of unlawful sexual contact with a minor. She was not expected to serve any jail time.

Carrie O’Conner, 33: Counselor at Montgomery County High School in Mount Vernon, Ga., arrested Aug. 13, 2007, for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old male student. The relationship is said to have lasted from January through July. According to police, the abuse was first reported in March 2007 to a teacher and a probation officer, but they were reportedly reluctant to inform the superintendent because O’Conner is the superintendent’s daughter.

Cathy Heminghaus, 46: Special-education teacher from Ferguson, Mo., charged with statutory sodomy involving at least three of her students at Ferguson Middle School. She reportedly told friends she had performed oral sex on the children on several occasions in 2005. On July 9, 2007, she pleaded no contest Monday to 25 counts; 21 of them involving statutory sodomy.

Celeste Emerick, 32: Police in Huber Heights, Ohio, say the Wayne High School teacher hosted a party where students were shown pornography. Prosecutors charged her with one count of sexual battery, a felony in Ohio.

Chandra Franks: Gym teacher and coach of softball and cross-country running at Haywood High School in Brownsville, Tenn., was charged Feb. 19, 2011, with sexual battery by an authority figure. Investigators said the victim is a teenager at Haywood High School, but they would not say if the alleged incident happened on campus, nor would they reveal the gender or exact age of the victim.

Christel C. Gravlin, 33: The Lisbon High School teacher from St. Lawrence County, N.Y., was arraigned Dec. 10, 2007, on charges of rape 3rd degree, criminal sex act 3rd degree and endangering the welfare of a child after allegedly having intercourse with a 15-year-old male student. Allegations became known after an incident at a high school basketball game on Nov. 30 when Gravlin, a married mother of two and former beauty queen, made statements about an affair to a group of students and others who were sitting near her. On March 3, 2008, she pleaded guilty to a felony charge of third-degree rape, and on May 19, 2008, she apologized to the boy as she was sentenced to four months behind bars.

Christie Elliot, 25:
English teacher and cheerleading coach at Empire High School in Vail, Ariz., turned herself in at the Tucson Police headquarters May 17, 2010, where she was charged with one count each of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and sexual conduct with a minor. The boy’s father reportedly found inappropriate messages on his child’s cell phone, and a subsequent investigation revealed that Elliot had a physical relationship with the student.

Christina Gallagher, 26: Jersey City, N.J., woman received no jail time, but was ordered to pay more than $1,000 in fines, sentenced to a lifetime registration as a convicted sex offender and ordered to attend therapy for having sex with a 17-year-old student in late 2004. The former Rahway High School instructor was banned from teaching and seeing the student with whom she had sex.

Christina Oliver, 24: Teacher at NcNair High School in Stockton, Calif., was arrested Feb. 10, 2009, on suspicion of having sex with a male student, 16. She was booked into San Joaquin County Jail on three charges involving child molest or annoyance, lewd or lascivious behavior with a minor, and contact with a minor for the purpose of committing an offense with the minor.

Christine Duda, 39: Teacher at the Normandy Alternative School in St. Louis County, Mo., allegedly took a 16-year-old hearing-impaired male student to her home for sex in December 2005. She was charged with two counts of felony statutory rape and fired by the school district.

Christine Scarlett, 36: English teacher at Strongsville High School in Ohio began a sexual relationship with the 17-year-old captain of the football team, Steven Bradigan, in November 2002 and eventually gave birth to Bradigan’s son. Scarlett was fired from her teaching job, but insists nothing improper happened during the time she was Bradigan’s teacher. She was never charged with any criminal wrongdoing.

Christine Brown Jouini, 38: The 11th and 12th-grade teacher at Center Academy in Coral Springs, Fla., was arrested June 6, 2008, after police learned she had been involved in a sexual relationship with one of her male students for more than a year. The boy said the relationship began when he was 16 years old and that he and Jouini had “sexual contact” more than 100 times.

Christine McCallum, 29: The former fifth-grade teacher at Woodsdale Elementary School in Abington, Mass., was arrested on June 8, 2008, after the father of a 16-year-old boy went to authorities with copies of letters McCallum, married, had written to the boy. According to charges, she is accused of having consensual sex over 300 times with the teen, beginning when he was 13. McCallum was a tutor for the alleged victim’s younger brother.

Christine Spaich, 28: Teacher and volleyball coach at Silverado Middle School in Roseville, Calif., arrested April 6, 2007, for alleged unlawful intercourse with a minor and other related charges. Police say Spaich had a six-month relationship with a 16-year-old boy identified as a former student at her school. Detectives said the relationship appeared to be consensual and that the boy was not forced. Spaich entered a “no contest” plea July 3, 2007, and was sentenced to four months in jail, four years probation and 400 hours of community service. An application for alternative sentencing could let the teacher avoid jail time altogether.

Christy Anne Brown, 33: English teacher at Cyprus High School in Magna, Utah, was arrested July 8, 2007, for allegedly having sex with one of her students, a boy of 16. A police officer found her in a parked car along with the boy, and told authorities she had been having relations with the juvenile for three months. “The suspect admits to having sex over 40 times. She also admitted to having oral sex with the juvenile at her home and also at work,” the jail report stated.

Christy Martin, 32: The “Life Choices” teacher at Azalea Middle School in St. Petersburg, Fla., was arrested March 7, 2009, for exchanging pornographic pictures of genitals with a male student, 14, by camera cell phone. Martin was subsequently evicted from her apartment by her landlord.

Claire Richards, 35:The math teacher at Jordan High School in Columbus, Ga., was arrested Dec. 19, 2008, following an investigation by police and Muscogee County School District officials into reports of an inappropriate relationship between her and a 16-year-old male student. The eight-year veteran of the district was charged with two counts of sexual assault on a person in custody, four counts of interference with custody and 17 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Courtney Bowles, 31: Instructional coach at the Mountain View High School in Loveland, Colo., was arrested Jan. 22, 2011, after she and a 16-year-old boy were allegedly found naked in a parked car and admitted having sex. She is suspected of sexual assault on a child, sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, all felonies. On Jan. 24, 2011, Magistrate Matthew Zehe ordered Bowles to have no contact with the alleged victim, his school, his family or anyone younger than the age of 18, including her own children. “I know this will have a significant impact on Ms. Bowles’ ability to see her own children,” the judge said.

Cris Morris, 30: The former teacher and track coach at Hurricane High School in St. George, Utah, was sentenced on May 15, 2008, to 30 days in jail for having sex with a male student. The mother of three’s relationship with the teen began after the then-17-year-old victim “approached her with admiration” in the summer of 2007 and she began texting him.

Crissy Hisey, 28: Sophomore English teacher at Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, Calif., arrested May 1, 2008, for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl at the school. “This started out as a friendship and then developed into a sexual relationship,” one detective said, noting it had been ongoing for several months. Hisey was charged with suspicion of lewd conduct with a minor, oral copulation with a minor, child molestation and sending harmful material to a child. Police said the “harmful material” involved photos and videos allegedly found on cell phones of both the teacher and the girl. The alleged sexual contact between Hisey and the girl reportedly happened both at the woman’s home and in Hisey’s classroom after school hours.

Crystal Wells, 33: Teacher at Deming High School in northeastern Kentucky was sentenced to 5 years in prison April 14, 2008, for sex with a 15-year-old male student. She had been facing six counts of rape, but pleaded guilty to six felony charges of unlawful transaction with a minor. Family members reportedly found text messages on the boy’s phone and felt they were indicative of a sexual relationship. “I have to treat this the same as I would a male teacher and a female student,” Judge Robert McGinnis said. Wells’ attorney stated the woman’s marriage was falling apart and a divorce was pending.

 

Danielle Jones

Danielle Jones, 32: Sixth-grade teacher at Stambaugh Middle School in Auburndale, Fla., was arrested on June 5, 2008, on charges of having sex with four teenage boys, two of whom were her students. The woman had initiated the contact the previous summer by contacting her two previous students through their MySpace accounts, telling them she missed them and inviting them to her home.

Darcie Esson, 32: Parker, Colo., English teacher at Elizabeth High School was arrested in December 2006 for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old football player the day after her divorce was finalized. According to the arrest affidavit, Esson and the teen had sex on the floor of her hotel room while her two children, ages 4 and 8, and their 17-year-old babysitter slept on beds in the same room. Esson was charged with sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, a Class IV felony.

Dawn Welter, 38: Sumner, Wash., teacher at Tenino High School charged April 24, 2007, with second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor for allegedly spending the night with a 16-year-old girl at a motel. Charging papers state that on Feb. 17, Welter engaged in sexual contact with the teen.

Deanna Bobo, 37: Special-education teacher at Raymond E. Wells Junior High School in Greenwood, Ark., allegedly had sex twice in 2005 with a 14-year-old boy in his own bed while his parents were not home. She denied the charge, but was convicted in September 2006 of two counts of first-degree sexual assault and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Deborah Reeder, 45: Substitute teacher from Coral Springs, Fla., arrested in December 2006, charged with having sex at least four times with a 17-year-old boy who was a friend of one of her own three children. The victim told police they had sex multiple times in her car, her bed, on the floor of her bedroom and in the master bedroom shower.

Debra LaFave, 25: Tampa, Fla., area teacher received no jail time despite having sex with her 14-year-old male student in a classroom and her Hillsborough County home. In another county, Marion, she was accused of having sex with the boy in an SUV. LaFave claimed at a March 2006 news conference she had a bipolar disorder. The boy’s father said LaFave should have received prison time in her plea deal, noting, “It’s a horrible, ugly thing that she’s done.”

 

 

Dorothy Dixon, 29: Special-needs teacher at Northgate High School in Fayetteville, Ga., was charged May 27, 2011, with child molestation involving a 15-year-old former student. Dixon was arrested after her husband found sexting messages on his wife’s phone, confronted her and reported her explanation to authorities. The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office said investigators were alerted to what is said to have been a sexual relationship between Dixon and one of her ex-students, a special-needs student. When Dixon’s husband originally saw the sexual text messages, he presumed the communications were with an adult male. But what Dixon told him when he confronted her, was that she had been having relations with a teen boy whom she had previously taught in a special-needs class at Northgate.

Elisa Martinelli, 34: Pastor’s daughter and former teacher at at Dayspring Christian Academy in Chicago was in custody in June 2011, accused of having sex with four students over the
course of years dating back to the late 1990s.
Prosecutors claim the woman plied the three girls and a boy with alcohol and
performed sex acts on them in her home, in the students’ homes or
sometimes in her car, including having intercourse with the boy for
about a year while he was 15 and 16.
According to published reports, what began as telling sexy stories
with one girl is said to have escalated into full abuse of the victim, lasting until
2001. She then allegedly had sexual relations with two other teen girls and a boy.

Elizabeth Livesay, 26: Special-education teacher at Carson Junior High School in Mesa, Ariz., was arrested Nov. 17, 2008, on 11 charges she had sex with a 16-year-old girl on numerous occasions outside of school grounds. The 16-year-old is not her student and police believe that the girl has not been Livesay’s student in the past. She was put on paid leave of absence during the investigation.

Elizabeth Miklosovic, 36: Grand Rapids, Mich., teacher at South Haven’s Baseline Middle School pleaded no contest to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student she “married” in a pagan ritual in June 2004. Miklosovic is also accused of touching the girl’s genitals while camping in public parks. She told the judge before sentencing, “The entire ordeal has been blown totally out of proportion for something that was innocent, kind and nurturing in nature.”

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