A 33-year-old female Louisiana teacher, Morgan Freche, is facing a rape and sexual battery charge after allegedly giving birth to a child fathered by one of her students.
Morgan Freche, 33, was arrested on Tuesday, October 3, after an investigation led to several warrants being put out for her arrest in Tangipahoa Parish.
On September 24, allegations of Freche having become pregnant with the 17-year-old student’s baby were reported, Sheriff Daniel Edwards said.
Four days later, Freche resigned from her job in the parish’s school system at Lorainger High School, without her name being revealed.
On Tuesday, she turned herself in and was charged with counts of third-degree rape and oral sexual battery, as well as four counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.
‘While we cannot share specific details regarding the investigation, we can confirm that the allegations were dealt with promptly, and the investigation process has been rigorous and thorough,’ Edwards said after Freche resigned last week.
‘This type of investigation is time-consuming and is being handled with great care. Under no circumstances will we be rushed for closure.’
George R. Tucker, an attorney for the victim, said that his family is relieved that Freche has been charged and they will focus on getting the boy into therapy.
‘We’re happy with the types of charges, we think maybe there should’ve been more charges because there were more events,’ Tucker told WSDU News.
Tangipahoa Parish School Superintendent Melissa Stilley said in a statement that they were unaware of the allegations until they’d been reported.
‘We have just learned of the arrest of former Tangipahoa Parish teacher, Morgan Freche,’ Stilley said.
‘Although personnel and student matters are confidential and the specifics of such matters may not be discussed, student safety and the proper conduct of school district employees are a priority.
Stilley added there was no place in her school system for Freche’s alleged behavior.
‘Neither the Board nor this office will tolerate employee behavior which crosses the line in areas such as the proper professional relationships between educators and their students,’ she added.
‘We are fortunate that the children of Tangipahoa Parish are instructed by professionals, and allegations of this nature are unfortunate. We are cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation of this matter at this time.’
However, Tucker told reporters that the family believes the parish knew about this and failed to act.
‘The next steps are to try now and see why this wasn’t something that was shared with the family by those who knew far prior to now,’ Tucker said.
‘It’s become known that the family was notified twice, once by the family of the superintendent. The second time by two Loranger employees but was never reported.’
