In 2013, Laura Whitehurst, a high school English teacher and soccer coach, was arrested and charged with sexually abusing three students. The following year, she gave birth to one of their babies and pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and two counts of oral copulation of a person under the age of 18. In September 2023, the Redlands Unified School District in California reached a $2.25 million settlement with one of Whitehurst’s victims.
The district had already paid $6 million to another victim in 2016. This brings the total to $8.25 million given to Whitehurst’s victims so far.
The most recent case was first filed in 2021. Whitehurst was accused of abusing this 14 year old boy in 2007 and 2008. She admitted to having sex with him around 15 times in her classroom and at her apartment.
Whitehurst’s abuse was first brought to light when one of her victim’s grades started declining and other teachers noticed this. The concerned teachers brought this to the attention of principal Bernie Cavanagh. Cavanagh began to look into it.
More from LittleThings: Shania Twain Reveals How She Used To Flatten Chest To Keep Her Abusive Stepfather Away
Cavanagh discovered that Whitehurst had a close relationship with the pupil. She described herself as his confidant. Cavanagh questioned Whitehurst about it. She claimed that the teen told her “his girlfriend was pregnant and he was having a tough time keeping it all together with a baby on the way, school, getting ready for college, AP tests, graduation, etc.”
Cavanagh then asked Whitehurst if she knew when the baby was due. She replied that it was around the same time that she was. This raised suspicions.
The father of her child was not happy with her plea deal. He told the judge: "Whitehurst's criminal actions against me have scarred me emotionally and will affect every relationship I have for the rest of my life.” Whitehurst served six months in prison and was required to register as a sex offender.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential 24/7 support. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online at RAINN.
