Mary Beth Haglin, a substitute teacher in Iowa, could face up to two years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a Cedar Rapids High School student. Prosecutors charged Haglin, 24, with sexual exploitation by a school employee. She turned herself in on Friday and was released on Saturday following an initial appearance.
According to KCRG TV:
The Cedar Rapids School District says Haglin worked as a substitute in the last school year, primarily at Washington High School. The former substitute claimed prior abusive relationships left her vulnerable to this kind of inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student. But she admitted it was primarily her fault.
“I do take responsibility. I’m not shying away from this. I’m facing this head on,” Haglin said.
Haglin said she and the student who got involved both denied the relationship when questioned by school leaders at Washington High School last winter. But when someone posted a video of the two together in April, the school investigation picked up again.
On May 17, the Cedar Rapids School District told Haglin not to come back as a substitute teacher at the high school and forwarded the matter to authorities, however, that message didn’t reach the Grant Wood Area Education Agency office until June 14th. Grant Wood AEA maintains the database that many metro districts use to select and schedule substitute teachers. What’s all that mean? Well, it means she was able to keep TEACHING IN THE DISTRICT after she got caught. Because Haglin still had a valid substitute listing there, she was used at middle and elementary schools in Cedar Rapids, Linn-Mar and College Community from May 18th until the end of the school year even though a criminal exploitation investigation was underway.
According to KCRG TV, Haglin was released from the Linn County Jail on Saturday with an order to have no further contact with the student. Her next court appearances are a preliminary hearing now set for August 12th and an arraignment September 1st.
In addition to possible prison time, Haglin could also go on the state’s sex offender registry for up to 10 years.
There must be something in the air in America, or the water, maybe some new kind of chemical or something, because these teacher/student sex stories seem to multiply by the year.
What Happened?
Mary Beth Haglin, a 24-year-old substitute teacher in Iowa, is facing up to two years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a Cedar Rapids high school student.
On May 17th, the Cedar Rapids School District told Haglin not to come back as a substitute teacher at the high school and forwarded the matter to authorities, however, that message didn’t reach the Grant Wood Area Education Agency office until June 14th.
Who Is Mary Beth Haglin?
Mary Beth Haglin is a 24-year-old substitute teacher from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
