In my last few blogs, I discussed how a predator needs a target-rich environment. Part of that discussion included the possibility that schools provide such a target-rich environment and that a predator may be employed as a teacher in order to have access to a number of potential victims. The number of cases involving female teachers sexually involved with their students has doubled in the last five years. These types of cases have caught the attention of the media and several stories about female teachers having sexual conduct with their students have been profiled.

This was the case last week on the Dr. Phil Show. The two-day episode detailed the case of Joelle Ogletree, a high school French teacher in Glen Rose, Texas. Three of her male students, Sam, Matt, and Chayce, accused her of having inappropriate, sexual conduct with them. The boys were 14-15 years old at the time. The conduct allegedly occurred in the classroom, at the Ogletree residence, and in Ogletree’s car.

Ogletree was placed on leave by the high school and eventually fired from her job. Her Texas teaching license was suspended. In 2003, she was indicted by a grand jury and faced years in prison if convicted. The trial began in August 2004, after she turned down a plea deal. At that time, only two of the boys were going to testify against Ogletree. That was because Sam admitted that he had fabricated his allegations against Ogletree.

Matt was the first to testify. However, during his testimony, details about the alleged conduct were altered, forgotten, or added. This prompted the prosecutor to request the trial be ended, claiming that Matt’s testimony was being effected by Ogletree’s husband, who had been glaring at Matt during his testimony. The judge agreed and a mistrial was declared. Chayce never testified. Three months later, all criminal charges against Ogletree were dropped.

Although the criminal case was over, the Texas Education Agency was still trying to revoke Ogletree’s teaching license. A hearing on the matter was held in June 2006. The judge found Chayce and Matt’s allegations “implausible and even impossible.” The judge ordered Ogletree’s teaching license to be “granted without delay.” The Texas Education Agency appealed that ruling but lost. In November 2006, Ogletree was issued a new teaching license.

Despite these victories, life for Ogletree in Glen Rose, the town she grew up in, did not return to normal. She is not allowed to volunteer at her daughter’s elementary school. She has sued the school district for wrongful termination.

In my next blog, I will discuss Ogletree’s appearance on the Dr. Phil Show. In addition to her discussing the case over the two-day episode, Dr. Phil interviews Chayce on the phone and Matt comes on the show during the second day. Both boys take polygraphs administered by examiners selected by Dr. Phil. I’ll reveal those results in Did She…Or Didn’t She? – Part II.