Nov 18, 2006 - Elizabeth Stow, first year English teacher at Tulare Western High School, was given a suspended sentence of nine years after being convicted of having sex with three students. She was alternately given a sentence of one year in jail, five years probation and must register as a sex offender.
Stow will begin her one-year sentence in about a month, which could be served either under house arrest or in prison. Prosecutors were not happy at the sentence.
Prosecutors, however, expressed concern that the sentence would send a message that sexual activity between teachers and students is not a serious offense.A Fresno Bee story no longer available says she was the second Tulare teacher arrested on sex charges this year. Unable to find other information. MSNBC has links to other teacher misconduct stories.
"I think there's a certain leniency when a suspect is female versus male. The law doesn't see any difference," said Deputy District Attorney Sara Bratsch.
UPDATE: Dec 20, 2006 - Tulare County Superior Court Judge Walter Gorelick has ruled that Stow will not have to register as a sex offender.
