March 14, 2011
Judge Tom
2

Sexting is not just for students

Melinda Dennehy was a language teacher for three years at a New Hampshire high school. In 2010 she sent several photos of herself to a 15-year-old boy at her school. According to the student, the photos portrayed her genitals and she texted him continuously with details of  acts she wanted to perform with him. Dennehy also kissed him on the mouth in a classroom on several occasions. The student sent the text messages on to his friends.

In March, 2010, Dennehy was arrested after the photos were found circulating among the student body. She resigned three weeks later and was charged with a felony count of indecent exposure and lewdness. In January, 2011, she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure.

At sentencing she was given a suspended jail term on the condition that she have no contact with the student or return at any time to the high school. Dennehy, married and a mother of two children, apologized for her behavior and poor judgment. She also reported to the court that she remains in counseling.

Melinda Dennehy mug shot

As you know, these incidents of teacher-student contact are no longer unusual. It seems we read about questionable behavior by educators fairly regularly. Do you think any of it is caused by precocious students? Have you witnessed behavior at school between a student and faculty member or staff that made you uncomfortable? What are your thoughts about ‘friending’ a teacher? Is it a good or bad idea?

Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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2 Comments

  • Oklahoma City Divorce Attorney Matt Ingham
    July 14, 2011 9:33 pm count( 0 )

    Sexting in general is a bad idea, but sexting one of your students???…that’s just down right wrong. Glad to see that Melinda accepted responsibility for her poor judgment.