Ex-Teacher Accused With Improper Relationship

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(January 08, 2009)—A former McCamey school teacher has been jailed and charged with having an improper relationship between an educator and a student.

Upton County Sheriff Dan Brown said Vanessa Zuniga, 34, is being investigated for a relationship with an 18-year-old male McCamey High School student.

Zuniga remains in the Upton County Jail on the second-degree felony charge, said Deputy Sheriff Todd Helms.

If convicted, she could face a two to 20 year prison sentence and up to a $10,000 fine. No bond has been set.

Zuniga surrendered on Monday to the Upton County Sheriff's Office after being notified by authorities they had obtained a warrant for her arrest, according to a report filed by The Odessa American newspaper.

McCamey Superintendent Donny Wiley said Zuniga resigned her position prior surrendering to county authorities.

There was no word Wednesday on whether Zuniga had retained an attorney.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 11, 2009 at 09:41 AM
The difference is that he is a student and she is a teacher which maybe should be comsidering improper but definately not sex with a child.

Posted by: me Location: Groesbeck on Jan 10, 2009 at 10:15 PM
It doesn't matter that he was 18.17 is the age of consent in Texas. What matters is that she was his teacher and therefore, by Texas penal code, it is illegal. It is illegal if he was in college and she was a professor. Improper relationship with a student is the charge, not sexual assault of a child. Read the article.

Posted by: mom Location: mexia on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:30 PM
i dont see how any grown person can look at an 18 year old and see anything but a child....... i " mother" children that age that are my daughters friends, i sure cannot look at any of them except as like an adopted child or something

Posted by: Rob Location: Texas on Jan 10, 2009 at 04:06 PM
The way you guys are playing with words is ridiculous. A "child" is under 12. A "teen" is 12 to 17. An "adult" is 18 . It is times like this I wish the Mayflower had sunk and drowned all the Puritans instead of landing on Plymouth. The Puritans didn't come to this country for religious freedom. They came to this country for freedom to persecute. Salem witch trial anyone?

Posted by: Joe Location: Waco on Jan 10, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Another case of bad law inforcement. What doe she look like? He can have a job, die for his country, etc but he can not a relationship with a 34 year old???

Posted by: Cynthia Location: Temple on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Being 18 and having sex is not illegal in Texas! Open and closed case, the ex-teacher should be freed~NOW!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Clifton on Jan 9, 2009 at 10:51 PM
The "age factor" has no relivance in these cases and that is why it is called an "improper relationship between a teacher and student". The idea is that even though the child is 18 the teacher is considered the "adult" and knows that this is not a proper situation to be in. It is also set up this way to keep teachers from having a relationship with a student where the student feels if they do not participate they will suffer in the classroom or in other academic areas.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 9, 2009 at 10:03 AM
I thought 18 was legal?

Posted by: Marlin Location: Texas on Jan 9, 2009 at 09:46 AM
WAIT A MINUTE! The woman had sex with an 18 year old and this is illegal because he's a CHILD??? A minor STUDENT??? I think that anyone who calls an 18 year old a "child" is out of their minds! An 18 year old will be prosecuted as an ADULT in criminal courts, can vote in all elections, can buy a rifle or shotgun, can sign himself/herself into the military, can go to Iraq and be shot at, can shoot back, can get and use credit cards, can smoke cigars and cigarettes, can get driver's licenses (without restrictions), and can do just about anything they want to (the stupid exception is to have a beer, go figure!)! They are NOT CHILDREN, they are ADULTS! Granted the 34 year old woman was doing the "DEED" with someone from a school, but to call her "MOLESTING A CHILD" is rediculous! This law needs to be changed! An 18 year old is an ADULT. My sons at 18 knew what they were doing, so did this "minor"...he was getting an older woman to have sex with him! She is desperate, he's normal!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:21 PM
This happened long before "now days", it's just known about now, but not every situtation is known. In the small town I grew up in, I know of 2 different student/teacher relationships that happened within about 7 years of each other, but there was never a way to actually prove either situation.

Posted by: Rachel Location: Temple on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:37 PM
While it is true that some educators have wanted to teach in order to be off in the summer with their children, most of us are there to educate children - imagine that!!! You obviously haven't been around the school environment in a long time from an insiders perspective. The days of "getting off" with the children are gone. Now teachers go to training, teach summer school to try and help those who didn't get it the other nine months of the year, set up their rooms for the next year, and a host of other duties. Maybe you need to volunteer for a summer and see what real teachers do!!!

Posted by: Mom of 3 Location: Waco on Jan 8, 2009 at 02:31 PM
What is this world coming to. Once upon a time people were in the education field so that they could have the summer off with their children. Now it seems that more are just there to take advantage of our children. What is going through the mind of an adult that can see a child in a sexual manner. Sick Sick people.

Posted by: Someone Location: Near-Here on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Terrible situation,, The World is in a mess!!!

Posted by: John Location: Centex on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:05 PM
A female teacher having a relationship with a male student is okay and she will only get a slap on the wrist. God help a male teacher with a female student though.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:16 AM
I thought 18 was legal??? Cougar...

Posted by: kats Location: belton on Jan 8, 2009 at 06:34 AM
he is 18 teen isn't he an adult at 18 if he wanted to be with her how is it a crime? i dont understand this at 18teenyou say boys having sex with another teen girl knows what he is doing and is charged for it but now this 18 teen yr old boy dont know what he is doing? well that dont make since to me .it cant be both ways people .did she force him ? if not then how is it a crime .this world has gone crazy.

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