In a tale that seems oft-repeated, or oft-exposed, in different versions of late, a former math and special education teacher of Sherwood High School, Oregon, turned herself in on Monday, and has been charged with six counts of second-degree sex abuse of school students.
Law enforcement has alleged that she had multiple inappropriate relationships with students dating back to 2006. It is possible that students were afraid to speak up against her as her husband was the school’s police liaison officer. The husband has been reassigned and is not suspected of any wrongdoing or knowledge about what went on.
Detective Robert Rookhuyzen of the Washington County sheriff’s office told KGW News that victims were reluctant to come forward. The police alleged that Keese had sex with boys on different occasions and at different times, sometimes during school hours, sometimes at the teacher’s home and sometime at the homes of the boys.
Rookhuyzen said, “These were young people who had come from broken homes, not doing well in school. And she was able to become buddies with them.”
She came under suspicion of abusing her authority and an investigation was launched in October 2012 after one inappropriate relationship with a male student leaked. She was placed on administrative leave, and ultimately she resigned.
The Oregonian reported that a grand jury indicted her on Monday on six counts of second-degree sexual abuse.
While the investigation was launched with report of one student, police later came to believe there were at least three male victims. However Detective Robert Rookhuyzen said, “We believe there is a possibility there are more out there … Male victims are a very difficult population to work with, primarily because they may not feel they’ve been victimized. There’s reluctance to report, and there’s stigma.”