Londonderry H.S. Teacher Melinda Dennehy Arrested, Sent Nude Photos to Student, Police Accuse

A Londonderry High School teacher, Melinda Dennehy of Hampstead, turned herself in to police Friday after authorities became aware that she had e-mailed nude photos of herself to a 15-year-old male student. Londonderry Police found out about Melinda Dennehy's naked pictures when the nude photos of the English teacher were circulated throughout the high school. After obtaining one of the nude photos, police then issued a warrant for Melinda Dennehy's arrest.

The 41-year-old Dennehy was also accused of sending lewd text messages to the student, allegedly offering to have sex with him on several occasions. The nude photos were sent two months prior to the arrest and have since been forwarded to a number of students -- and elsewhere. Melinda Dennehy's nude photos are now part of the world wide web.

As one parent, Patsy Clark, told WBZ, a CBS News affiliate in Boston, "Everything is on Facebook and online - within 5 minutes everyone knows. I got the information as fast as it came out through my kids."

At present, Melinda Dennehy faces the charge of indecent exposure for her transmission of the naked photo of herself. But the arrest affidavit also notes that the 15-year-old student alleges that the teacher "continuously sent him text messages," often of an explicit nature. She kissed him at least twice on two separate occasions, the teen further attests. The kissing incidents took place in a Londonderry High School classroom.

Melinda Dennehy, a mother of two, was released on $10,000 and ordered to stay away from anyone under the age of 16. She has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation and told to stay off of school property.

The case of Melinda Dennehy is just the latest in teacher-student sex scandals. To get a good idea of how prevalent the problem has become, one need only set oneself a Google search alert for teachers having sex with students (or any combination of words that convey the same meaning). There are new cases reported almost daily, not to mention older ongoing cases being covered, adjudicated and/or resolved. It is only occasionally that one of the cases somehow gets enough traction to rise to the level that it becomes a Google trending topic, such as has become the case with Melinda Dennehy.

It is possible that the difference in Melinda Dennehy's case is that her naked photos have the possibility of actually being seen online. And if there is one maxim concerning the internet, it is: What hits the internet, stays on the internet -- forever.

It is unclear whether or not Melinda Dennehy will face further charges, such as contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Dennehy faces arraignment on April 30.

At present, police are not aware of any other victims.

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Source:

WBZTV.com