I do want to repeat the article's assertion that this was not a student of this teacher, so there was no "position of authority," and the other teacher/student relationship referenced was a former student, not a current one, again removing the position of authority. That said, California is one of the rare exceptions that has a high age of consent (18) which would indeed make these both crimes. The age of consent in most of the country is 16.

As someone who dated an "underage" girl and took the trash-talking and dirty looks, I can honestly say that people in this country have a very weird aversion to things that are simply not that controversial elsewhere (and weren't controversial here until the last generation or two). That girl turns 24 in a few weeks and we've been together for nine years, so the furor has died down, but once upon a time you'd have thought she was a mentally handicapped child with no common sense and too much trust and I was a cunning manipulative rapist that preyed on "little children." The outrage was pretty much uncalled for and history has bore that out as we went through college, career and homeownership milestones together and are discussing a family now.

The point of all this is that, before we fly into an outrage as if someone held down a nine year old and forced them to do things against their will, we do need to stop and think of the details and come to a conclusion about intent, maturity, and who these people really are. Maybe time will bear out facts that justify outrage, but at this point, I don't know enough to judge and I'm reluctant to do so blindly, especially when you read in the other story that the (few months shy of 18 year old) girl is fully aware of the pros and cons of the relationship and continues to tell the court that she initiated and intends to continue the relationship with him.

whether or not she (your girlfriend/wife/partner/whatever she is now) consented willingly isn't really the issue here. let's not lose sight of the fact that:

1. right or wrong, the law is the law. people can, and will, be punished if they're caught breaking it.
2. taken in context of what's been uncovered so far, i think it's right to react with skepticism, alarm and disgust when things like this come to light.

i'm all for holding judgement until the entire story comes out, but there's a seriously disturbing pattern here, regardless of this particular situation, and it involves children. adults, including you - if you were an adult at the time you dated your girl (you didn't mention if you were or weren't) have a moral responsibility to look out for and protect those children. those who don't, and/or who prey on them, and are proven guilty, well... they SHOULD be treated as animals.

And just how old were you when she was 15? Look I don't have a problem with a 19 year old dating a 15 year old, but there comes a point when it is kind of creepy. Like what on earth does a 27 year old want with a 16 year old? Really, what? Also, Alan you could possibly be an exception to the rule, that doesn't mean that the rule is bad overall. Most of the time, these cases do involve other physical, or more often, mental coercion of the underage individual.

Right Jason, because this girl cannot at all have a thing for older men, like EVERY OTHER HIGH SCHOOL GIRL ALIVE. I cant even count on both hands the number of girls I knew in high school wo dated college guys, and thats just the ones I know. Also knew a few who dated even older, at this age difference even.

From the details given, this was consentual of both parties. in 2 years nobody would even be talking about it, nor would this mans job be threatened, she doesnt even go to the school he works at.

@Moheeheeko - So says the child predator. Yeah, no s!*t, teenage girls like older guys. That doesn't give 30 year old men free reign to have sex with them. That is the point, the age of these girls generally precludes them from acting in a way that they would another 5-10 years from now. Would this same girl, at age 26, still be interested in a teacher who has a thing for 16 year olds?? I think you know the answer to that one too!

So the fact that I disproved your theory of "Most of the time, these cases do involve other physical, or more often, mental coercion of the underage individual." makes me a child predator? stay classy mate.

And if this were nearly any other country in the world nobody would think anything of the guy going for a 16 year old anymore than somone here going for an 18 year old, as the US is one of the few countries to have an age of consent above 16.

How, exactly, did you disprove anything I said??? All you did was make a statement of your belief, as did I. Neither of us have presented any facts or case studies. I guess you saying something, makes it fact, and disproves anyone else's statements?? Hmmm, sounds like how one would control a young girl.

It does when you blatantly agree with somone. Just because I said something doesnt make it fact, but you agreeing with me at least disproves the merit of your argument, as you just contradicted yourself.

R U people kidding me. U manipulated her, which is extremely easy to do when she was 16 and u r 10 to 15 years older, (and i am sure u r). She saw u as someone she never thought she could be with, (simply because u were older), had a car, money and a home. I'll bet u she feels trapped now. When u walk down the street and she looks up and u lose ur mind and accuse her of looking at some other guy, maybe tounger than u. What a shame any of you would try and make this OK cause she said OK to him, when he wanted to have sex with this CHILD. U R very lucky it was not my 16 year old daughter.

Because when people turn 18 they magically gain understanding of the universe. Also, YOU ARE very lucky that the english language isnt a person, or YOU would be on trial for murder.

And yes, my Fiance is younger than me, wooooo 2 months, I should just go turn myself in.

Alan,

You always seem to be overly defensive about the suspects in these stories. Could the police be wrong and the situation is not as bad as it seems? Possibly. More often than not, that simply is not the case. The point is regardless of your situation, a 27 yr old has no business dating or having any sort of intimate relationship with a 16 yr old. Those two age groups are light years apart as the adolescent is still trying to figure out a lot about her identity and social dynamics. It's not the same as if she was 27 and dating someone 11 years older.

You mentioned other places where this would not be considered odd. I agree, there are other places out there that wouldn't consider this odd, but those very same places also have very antiquated views on women's rights and treatment of women in general.

"but those very same places also have very antiquated views on women's rights and treatment of women in general."

Like Afganistan? Their women cant even be seen outside of the full body poncho. But wait, they require you to be 18, and married. hmmmm

Countries with age of consent at 18

Egypt

Haiti

Iraq

Rwanda

Turkey

Such wonderful places who treat their women so great right?

Countries with age of consent at 16 (or lower)

greece (15)

Australia (16)

Belgium (16)

France (15)

Germany (16)

Italy (14)

Sweden (15)

Switzerland (16)

Most of the USA (only 13 states require above age 16)

oh those evil oppresive manocentric maleocracies!

Another California teacher hurting kids! Not a big shocker anymore it is more like a daily thing!

Although he should be ashamed of his actions I'm glad to hear it was a female...

I have not read all the responses here yet, but I wanted to address a couple of assertions and questions really quick.

I agree that if it's a crime, it should be handled as a crime, and it should be handled appropriately to the details that emerge. Sentencing is dependent on the finer details. Remaining vigilant in protection of both children AND young adults is a noble cause.

What I do not agree with, and what I'm standing up against, is the "string them from the ceiling by their testicles" sort of over the top comments that always show up on these threads. That is not an appropriate response based on what we know at this point. We aren't barbarians.

I was 23 when I met my girlfriend at a place of mutual employment. She was 15. We are now 32 and 23, respectively. Despite being shy of Ohio's age of consent (16), I did not break any laws by dating her. We were very "by the book."

When one says "a 27 year old has no right dating a 16 year old," actually... they do. If the age of consent is sixteen (which again, admittedly, it was not in the CA cases), they absolutely do have the right. What you mean to say is "I personally feel that it is inappropriate," which is A-OK. I struggle with the question of how I'd react if my potential future daughter entered into a relationship of similar ages to myself and my SO when we met. It's an understandable reaction, but it is their right.

3comet, your comment is my favorite of all because it takes me back to 2003. It's interesting that, based on what you know (ages, and nothing more), you are making the assertions that A) I'm a jealous, overprotective mate and B) she feels trapped in our relationship. If you must know, I recently relocated for a corporate job while she finishes the last few months of her social work internship in the house we own. If she wanted to bolt, she has the perfect opportunity to do so right now. Also, she spent last weekend in Vegas with her sister.. I could not attend, and I am not jealous. Trust is an amazing thing.

OK, I did indeed end up reading everything. For now, back to work. I'm flying back to Ohio for a couple of weeks this afternoon. :)

It really saddens me to see some of the responses --- and some from posters I admire. My sister married an older man, and I have known other girls who married older men. I almost made the same mistake myself. I can tell you that not one of those marriages worked out in the long run --- not one. I, like every other girl in high school was infactuated with older men because they were experienced and knew what to say and how to say it. It's all fun and games until the babies start and the girl starts to mature into a woman. Then it gets sticky. These marriages don't last -- not even in Hollywood. The frontal lobe (the part of the brain responsible for reasoning and moral decisions) isn't even completely until 26. You will notice, that most of these marriages will end (for females) between the ages of 25-30 -- when they begin to realize what they've missed and what they've done to themselves. Either that, or the woman begins to cheat and often resents the older man (and all the other stuff that comes with being married to a much older man).

Older men who intentionally seek out much young girls are interested in two things --- sex and control. In that regard, you're not different than the Islamic men we point the finger at.

The Bible says, "be ye equally yoked." They are words of wisdom and when applied to the total package, is a recipe for happiness and LONG-TERM relationships. Young girls should be out enjoying themselves, and gaining experiences ON THEIR OWN TERMS and educating themselves so that they can make good decisions and have happier lives -- not sinking into depression when they mature because they've missed out on all the fun they could have had --- if only they had waited.

One of the other sad things I've noticed about these May-December marriages -- when they break up, the female, in an attempt to make up for lost time, will often go out and get someone half her age. It's sad to watch, and I'm watching it first hand.

I don't have daughters, but the concern should be no different for them as it is for young men. I did not send them to school to have sex with the teacher or to be bait for an older women. I sent them to school to get educated. The worst thing in the world for them, would have been getting a girl pregnant and taking on very adult responsiblities before they were completey ready to do so. That would go double for a girl, if I had one.

There is no excuse for this going on in high school. None.

LA teacher/sex offender of the day.

They should have a parking spot for that. At the county jail.

I think you are going to see if they ever let the whole truth out, that these young girls are as much to blame or more to blame as these teachers. More and more you are seeing its female teachers. And its not the teachers locking a kid in the room and raping them. More and more its these kids wanting sex with a young good looking teacher. Hell my 14 year old comes home carrying on about a hot Sub all the time. My 20 yr old used to do the same thing when she was in school. She got one of her teachers in trouble, We had to bail him out as she would not leave him alone. That was all her doings. When he rebuffed her advances, she said he did things to her. We knew better. So be careful, be very careful here.

They do, and there is a revolving door at the entrance.

Chuck,

These young students are somewhat to blame, but you can't place the blame squarely on their shoulders. The adults are the ones that know better and clearly have the experience to influence in these relationships. While a teen may not think it's wrong to date someone much older than them, adults know that these type relationships are inappropriate at best.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. I.D.10-T alert!

I really hope you are trying to be sarcastic. If not, then you are just repeating the same BS that was said when interracial marriage became legal. Bigots said it then, and they were rightly ignored.

"What's next?!" I can't rememeber the comedian who responded to this outrageous question the best, but his answer was something like "I don't know... Something else long overdue and righteous".

If you don't like gay marriage, don't get one. I won't, bc I'm straight. But I would rightly be exposed as a big bag of TOOL if I tried to prevent other ppl from being happy simply bc I was an insecure bigot.

And your husbands!

Except he didnt teach her, she went to a completely different school.

David,

Just let us know how that works out when your kids turn 16.

...and choose her favorite positions too, right?

Ouch!

If they were they'd be murderers and slave owners! But anyway...