Teacher booked on sex count

LAFAYETTE — Lafayette High School drama teacher Blaine Peltier, 30, was arrested Thursday for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female Lafayette High student, a police spokesman said Friday.

The student’s parents filed a complaint with the school system about the relationship and Peltier resigned from his job after questioned about the allegations Thursday morning, said Angela Morrison, a school district spokeswoman.

“We began to investigate the complaint immediately,” Morrison said. “Lafayette Parish School System is very concerned about the student involved in this situation and the family. We’re doing what we can to make sure their needs are met.”

The school system notified Lafayette police by phone at 8:45 a.m. Thursday and officers responded to the School Board office to investigate the allegations, said Lafayette Police Cpl. Paul Mouton, police spokesman.

Peltier was arrested for sexual conduct between an educator and student, a law passed in 2007 that prohibits sexual acts between educators and students between the ages of 17 and 20 who attend the educators’ school. Youths under age 17 are covered by other laws.

Mouton said the relationship occurred between March and July.

Peltier was employed by the Lafayette Parish School System since August 9, 2007, said Morrison, school district director of community collaborations and partnerships.

Mouton said the case remains under investigation.

The Advocate interviewed Peltier in May 2010 for a story about the Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy’s selection to participate in a theater festival in Scotland.

Comments

1) Comment by BRmoderate - 20/08/2012

I dunno but it seems like this is happening more now than ever. Maybe it is the information age publicizing it but as a former educator/coach I hate seeing these articles. It is disgusting. Teacherguy, My first principal sis the same thing in my interview!!! He asked me tough questions and let it be known that inappropriate contact would NOT be tolerated!

2) Comment by teacherguy - 02/08/2012

When I first started teaching, one my male mentors told me, "Son, she may talk like a woman, she may act like a woman, she may look like a woman...but remember, she is a child." I kind of felt awkward that two men would have this discussion...but given 18 years in the profession and seeing a multitude of articles of this nature, this seasoned vet knew what he was talking about. I tell it to every newly starting out male teacher that crosses my path. Another piece of advice that helps teacher/student "relationships" of this nature is to imagine yourself hanging out with his/her classmates on a Friday night...chances are great, hopefully (I've seen some exceptions to this rule in the news), a 30 year old man hanging out with 4-6 17 years old teens would be easy enough to picture in a negative way and help the teacher avoid getting caught up in this kind of news article.

3) Comment by redstickhornet - 24/07/2012

Disgusting. I hope this guy sees the inside of a cell for a very long time.

4) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 22/07/2012

to zealer99...great response!

5) Comment by zealer99 - 21/07/2012

The crime that the teacher has been charged with is not a felony on the first offense, so he will not be gong to Angola if he is convicted. I presume that he will never hold a position as a teacher again. Although some females can be enticing and seductive, men and women who are teachers must not succumb to that temptation nor use their authority to force sexual compliance on the students despite their age.

6) Comment by tradewinns - 21/07/2012

the parents "filed a complaint"? i guess i'm too old fashioned. i'd have got my baseball bat and gone a calling.

7) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 21/07/2012

2 Get Real ...you nailed it, at 17 these girls know what they should and should not do. But older male teachers have an advantage and should not abuse this power.

8) Comment by Get Real - 21/07/2012

He's not going to any jail time. The legal age of consent in Louisiana is 17, the law he broke said you get be involved with students at your school. Its to keep little trolops from seducing the teacher for an "A" or in this case a role in the school play.

9) Comment by Mr. T - 21/07/2012

Hope this pervert got his jollys with that poor little gir. The inmates at Angola are waiting to get their jollys off with him.