Latest news with #RedlandsUnifiedSchoolDistrict
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Woman teacher who got pregnant by a student faces lawsuit from another victim
An English teacher who became pregnant by one of the students she sexually abused is facing a new lawsuit from another alleged victim. Laura Whitehurst is accused of sexually abusing the unnamed victim, who was 16 at the time, in 2007 while teaching inside Redlands High School in California. The suit, filed last month and seen by Mercury News, alleges sexual battery, negligent hiring and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Whitehurst made headlines in 2013 when she was arrested and charged with 41 counts of sex and oral copulation with a minor. The former teacher had given birth that June to a daughter fathered by her one of her students at nearby Citrus Valley High School. Police reports indicate that complaints about her molesting minors went back to 2006 and continued to 2013 but nothing was done about it, according to the filing. Morgan Stewart, a partner with Manly, Stewart & Finaldi who filed the suit, said: 'There is a good reason why Redlands Unified School District is the national poster child for sexual abuse of students.' 'More than 20 teachers and administrators in RUSD have been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with their students over the last ten years. 'The district has spent millions on civil lawsuit settlements, and two students have committed suicide.' Alongside Whitehurst, former Redlands Principal Christina Rivera and the school district are named as defendants in the civil action, which is seeking damages. Whitehurst pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with three former students and served six months in jail for it. She is a registered sex offender. She is said to have invited male students between the ages of 14 to 18 into her classroom where they would engage in sexual discussions. Lawsuits filed against her have said that she would engage in sexual intercourse with students inside the classroom and at her home. The former student who fathered a child with her sued Whitehurst and Redlands District in 2014, receiving a $6million settlement. The student claimed he was stalked by Whitehurst prior to their relationship and that she told him she could not get pregnant. There is a no contact order between them. He alleged that Redlands Unified officials knew of his relationship with the teacher and failed to warn his family. In 2023, the school district also agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle another suit with another student she allegedly preyed upon and abused at Redlands High. Whitehurst admitted to police in 2013 she had sex with the youth 10 to 15 times in her classroom and at her apartment, a police report stated. When she was first arrested she told reporters she was just a 'clean-cut American girl' and was having a hard time being in jail. She told investigators she and the father of her child began having sex at her apartment after a Disneyland trip in 2012. According to Mercury News an investigation by the Southern California News Group led to the implementation of new policies at the school district. The district said in a statement: 'The safety and well-being of every student in Redlands Unified School District is our highest priority. 'We are aware of the recently filed lawsuit regarding a case from 2013 and take these allegations very seriously. 'While we cannot comment on pending litigation or the specific claims being made, we remain committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all students.'
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Sex-crazed female teacher who gave birth to student's baby is accused of shocking new crimes
A sex-crazed English teacher who became pregnant by one of the students she sexually abused is facing a new lawsuit from another alleged victim. Laura Whitehurst is accused of sexually abusing the unnamed victim, who was 16 at the time, in 2007 while teaching inside Redlands High School in California. The suit, filed last month and seen by Mercury News, alleges sexual battery, negligent hiring and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Whitehurst made headlines in 2013 when she was arrested and charged with 41 counts of sex and oral copulation with a minor. The former educator had given birth that June to a daughter fathered by her one of her students at nearby Citrus Valley High School. Police reports indicate that complaints about her molesting minors went back to 2006 and continued to 2013 but nothing was done about it, according to the filing. Morgan Stewart, a partner with Manly, Stewart & Finaldi who filed the suit, said: 'There is a good reason why Redlands Unified School District is the national poster child for sexual abuse of students.' 'More than 20 teachers and administrators in RUSD have been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with their students over the last ten years. 'The district has spent millions on civil lawsuit settlements, and two students have committed suicide.' Alongside Whitehurst, former Redlands Principal Christina Rivera and the school district are named as defendants in the civil action, which is seeking damages. Whitehurst pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with three former students and served six months in jail for it. She is a registered sex offender. She is said to have invited male students between the ages of 14 to 18 into her classroom where they would engage in sexual discussions. Lawsuits filed against her have said that she would engage in sexual intercourse with students inside the classroom and at her home. The former student who fathered a child with her sued Whitehurst and Redlands District in 2014, receiving a $6 million settlement. The student claimed he was stalked by Whitehurst prior to their relationship and that she told him she could not get pregnant. There is a no contact order between them. He alleged that Redlands Unified officials knew of his relationship with the teacher and failed to warn his family. In 2023, the school district also agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle another suit with another student she allegedly preyed upon and abused at Redlands High. Whitehurst admitted to police in 2013 she had sex with the youth 10 to 15 times in her classroom and at her apartment, a police report stated. When she was first arrested he told reporters she was just a 'clean-cut American girl' and was having a hard time being in jail. She told investigators she and the father of her child began having sex at her apartment after a Disneyland trip in 2012. According to Mercury News an investigation by the Southern California News Group led to the implementation of new policies at the school district. The district said in a statement: 'The safety and well-being of every student in Redlands Unified School District is our highest priority. 'We are aware of the recently filed lawsuit regarding a case from 2013 and take these allegations very seriously. 'While we cannot comment on pending litigation or the specific claims being made, we remain committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all students.'
Epoch Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
California School District Votes to Ban Boys From Girls' Sports
The Redlands Unified School District approved a resolution to ban boys from competing in girls sports after a raucous discussion on the topic by community members. In a more than five hour board meeting on April 22, parents, students, and community members argued their positions in regards to a resolution titled 'Supporting Title IX and Fairness in Girls' Interscholastic Sports.' In certain instances, crowd members interrupted speakers, while others could be seen shaking their heads while those with opposing views spoke. Several security guards were at the meeting, and at least one remained next to each speaker as they let their views be known. The board ultimately approved the resolution in a 3–2 vote. Board members later in the meeting considered censuring a member of the board as debate on cultural topics on numerous fronts boiled over. The board has also floated controversial new library policies, as well as a policy curtailing use of the LGBT rainbow flag on campus. The board's vote does not create a binding policy for the district's athletics program, which serves high schools such as Redlands High School and Citrus Valley High School. The district altogether serves more than 20,000 students in the Inland Empire. Related Stories 4/3/2025 4/23/2025 'It's fair. It's about ensuring that our daughters who train, sacrifice, and give everything to their sport are not robbed of the opportunities. That's not discrimination,' said Sonia Shaw, mother of two female athletes and president of Chino Valley Unified School Board. 'Being here tonight is upsetting; it's upsetting because we shouldn't have to be here,' said another public speaker. 'We shouldn't have to come here to say we need to save girl's sports. We shouldn't be begging for common sense.' Others spoke out against the resolution, arguing it was a waste of time and resources. Candy Olson proposed the resolution, and was joined by Jeanette Wilson, as well as board President Michele Rendler, in backing the resolution. The resolution was similar to one state lawmakers earlier this month voted According to a recent Pew Research Center The Redlands Unified School District Board vote came almost a year after the Department of Education
