Published: August 18, 2009 10:01 pm      

Former OF teacher remains in jail awaiting court date

Jennifer Lea Burton, 40, remains in the custody of the Orange County Jail Tuesday after she turned herself in Monday following a hearing.

New evidence was recently admitted into court Monday accusing Burton of continuing the relationship between herself and a 14-year-old girl. Burton had allegedly met with the girl about 4 times at various locations such a residences and a motel in Winnie, according to sources close to the family.

“We have to evaluate the facts and information as it comes in,” said Corey Kneeland, Orange County assistant district attorney. “No new charges have been brought against her as of right now.”

As a result of the hearing, Burton’s bonds doubled in amounts to $30,000 each on the six pending indictment charges. The cases covered a period from September 2008 through November 2008. While working as a teacher/coach at Orangefield Junior High School, the victim was a student of the same school. She was indicted on three each cases of improper relationship between student and educator and sexual assault.

Burton initially turned herself into the Orange County Jail following the original indictment in April. Bond was then set at $15,000 on each count of sexual assault and $10,000 on each count of improper relationship. She posted bond and had remained out of jail until the new information surfaced.

As in any case involving a crime, if officials believe an offense was committed in their jurisdiction such as another state or county, then they have the right to pursue an investigation and charges if necessary, Kneeland said.

“The earliest next court setting could be Friday,” Kneeland said.

The district attorney’s office and Burton’s defense attorney, Larry Hunter, are still negotiating the plea bargain agreement details.

Speaking in general, Sally Walden, licensed marriage and family therapist said, “pedophilia is when an adult has a compulsion to be with children.”

“Pedophiles will rationale why it is OK to behave in this manner,” Walden said. “It’s a criminal activity and clearly some mental issues are involved.”

The person may think they actually love the other person involved, but it is still criminal and deviant behavior, Walden said.

Children involved in sexual assaults do not have the ability to make decisions on what is right and wrong, she added.

“It doesn’t make a difference when the victim is a juvenile,” Walden said. “They are not a legal adult.”

Orangefield Independent School District officials placed Burton on leave on March 30 after learning of the matter and of a criminal investigation being initiated.

Burton is a 1987 graduate of Orangefield High School, has been teaching within the district since 2003. As part of her teaching job, she coached volleyball, basketball and track, according to Orange Leader archives.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.