|
MP3
ALBUM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DUBROOM
ARTICLE SECTION |
|
|
| Teacher
accused of sexually assaulting girl after
pagan ceremony |
By
Jessica Su, Court TV
(Court TV) — A female teacher had sex with
a 14-year-old female student after
"marrying" her in a pagan wedding
ritual, according to police in South Haven,
Mich.
Elizabeth Miklosovic, 36, is charged with
five sexual encounters with her ex-student,
including first-degree criminal sexual
conduct and second-degree sexual conduct.
|
|
If convicted of the first-degree charge,
Miklosovic faces life in prison.
Miklosovic faces a preliminary exam Monday and a
preliminary hearing Wednesday in Van Buren
County's District Court. The hearing will
establish whether a crime occurred and if
sufficient evidence points to Miklosovic, said
South Haven state police trooper Daniel Diekema.
The language arts teacher befriended the
then-seventh grader about two years ago when they
had class together at South Haven's Baseline
Middle School.
"The teacher was trying to help the student
work through her emotional issues," Diekema
said. "I think that's how the relationship
started."
In June 2004, Miklosovic asked the student's
parents for permission to take her on a camping
trip in Manistee National Forest. Thinking
Miklosovic sought to mentor their vulnerable
daughter, the family complied, State Police Sgt.
Diane Oppenheim told the Grand Rapids Press.
Instead, the teacher and the girl lit candles,
performed chants and exchanged vows in the forest.
The pagan wedding ceremony included exchanging a
braided piece of cloth, which the student kept,
Oppenheim said.
After the ceremony, Miklosovic and the student had
sexual relations at the Manistee park, a Van Buren
County park, and the teacher's home — where
Miklosovic's female companion and adopted son also
lived, authorities said.
Miklosovic said she also gave the student a book
on witchcraft "because she knew she was
interested in it," Oppenheim told the Grand
Rapids Press.
The student told a fellow classmate about the
relationship, and the information eventually
reached police. Baseline Middle School immediately
placed Miklosovic on leave after discovering the
alleged affair.
"Using authority as a teacher to coerce a
minor into sex is completely abhorrent," said
Susan Conklin, spokesperson for Kalamazoo Pagan
Pride, a nonprofit organization. "It's
against the ethical stands we hold ourselves
to."
Paganism, an umbrella term encompassing all
earth-centered religions, seeks to respect life,
Conklin said.
Miklosovic remains jailed on bonds totaling
$120,000. On Dec. 2, Van Buren County Judge Arthur
Clarke ordered Miklosovic to have no contact with
South Haven Public Schools students or children
younger than 17.
Miklosovic received no prior complaints from
students or parents, South Haven Public Schools
Superintendent David Myers said in a press
conference. Miklosovic has been teaching in South
Haven for three years.
Miklosovic's lawyer, James Becker, did not return
phone calls for comment
ORIGINAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISCLAIMER |
|
In
case the article on this page was quoted from
another source, the two following statements
apply:
-1- Fair Use policy applies since the quote is for
non-profit educational and research purposes only.
For more information, go to: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
-2- The DUBROOM has no affiliation whatsoever with
the originator of the articles nor is The DUBROOM
endorsed or sponsored by the originator.
|
|
|
|
ADVERTIZEMENT
www.reggaeloops.com |
|
|
|
|
|
