Why Student-Teacher Affairs Happen

While police are still investigating what happened between a teacher at Cooper High School and a student, there are still many questions abut why something like this would happen in the first place.  Dr. Orner says it usually has to do with someone wanting power over the other.

"With a male student, it's almost like saying, 'oh, he was with an older woman. It's something okay.'  All of his buddies would like it and say it's cool," Dr. Orner said.

This case isn't the first time something like this has happened in our area. Over the last few years we've had a handful of cases where teachers have been accused of having inappropriate relationships with students. Back in December, a teacher in Stamford was accused of this very same thing.

"I never thought that would have ever happened. When I was in high school, some boys thought a teacher was cute, but that's it. It was really harmless," Ashley Estes, a senior student at Hardin-Simmons University said.

"I always felt my teachers displayed the utmost professionalism," Kyle Timmerman, a junior at Hardin-Simmons University said.

"People that are teaching our children their daily studies, and to think that this could happen," Todd Williams, a senior at Hardin-Simmons University said.

Todd also said this very same situation happened where he used to live.

"The coach was in his 20's and I believe the girl was 16, and it was a really big deal," Williams said.

Dr. Orner said once something like this has happened, it's hard for the parties involved to overcome it.

"Even if you are innocent and you've proven that you weren't even in the same state,  people are going to say, where there is smoke, there is fire," Dr. Orner said.

Abilene ISD and the Abilene Police Department continue to investigate the case. The teacher at the center of the allegations is on administrative leave.