By: Jessica Shorten
PORTER, TX – A District Judge sentenced a former Porter High School teacher Thursday to 7.5 years in prison for having an improper relationship with a 17 year-old student.
43 year-old Rhiannon Petty was sentenced by 435th District Court Judge Patty Maginnis after pleading guilty to Improper Relationship between an Educator and Student, a second degree felony.
“When a teacher violates the community’s trust by victimizing a student, he or she must be held accountable,” said Prosecutor Lora Beckman. “We rely on teachers to mentor and nurture our children, and we simply will not tolerate abuse and manipulation of this nature.”
Petty formerly worked as a Health Sciences teacher at Porter High School, at which time she began the relationship with one of her students. Petty would write notes to excuse the student victim from other classes in order to spend time together. Petty also gave the student a cell phone in order to continue communicating. Messages from the phone showed Petty declaring her love for the student, and even gave a “promise ring” to the student.
Detective Cory Arnold, with the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, investigated the situation. The student victim revealed several instances of sexual abuse occurred both in Petty’s car and Petty’s home.
“We want to especially thank the hard work and professionalism of the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office. Their skilled efforts ensured justice was done in this case,” said Prosecutor Beckman.
District Attorney Brett Ligon also commented, “Our children deserve the full protection of the law. In this instance, this teacher used her trusted position to take advantage of young person, and those actions have rightly resulted in a prison sentence. I sincerely hope that other teachers who are considering this kind of predatory behavior will take note and think again. If they do not, prison waits for them as well.”