Texas state senator wants stiffer laws in teacher sexual misconduct cases

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - The latest teacher to stand before a judge instead of in a room full of students is 32-year-old Whitney Anne Laidlaw. The hip-hop teacher at Cornerstone Academy Middle School is now charged with sexual assault of a child under the age of 17.

Police say Laidlaw told a 7th grade female student that she had feelings for her.

"In my mind, it was almost like a violation when I saw the the teacher was even after the kid during the summer break," said Texas state Senator Paul Bettencourt.

Laidlaw isn't the only middle school staff member to declare her love for a student.

Last week, 24-year-old Hannah Siboyeh, a former paraprofessional with Labay Middle School in the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, admitted to losing her virginity to a 15-year-old student, claiming she was in love.

"This isn't a logical decision people are making," said Sen. Bettencourt. "People are making really bad emotional choices."

Three other Houston-area teachers have been fired or fired and criminally charged in a less than three-week period.

A male 5th grade teacher at Bowie was terminated by Goose Creek ISD officials after three fifth grade female students accused him of touching them inappropriately.

Former Dickinson High School teacher and coach Kristin Pike faces felony charges for having sex with a 15-year-old student.

Former Houston ISD gym teacher Bradley Reynolds is charged with indecency with a child. Police say Reynolds inappropriately touched a 7-year-old student every other day for a period of around two months.

"We're going to look at the prosecutions and we may have to jack up penalties from where they are now," added Sen. Bettencourt.