North Carolina teacher who allegedly had inappropriate relationship with 17-year-old student heckled by his mother outside court
SHELBY, NORTH CAROLINA: A North Carolina special needs teacher has been arrested and charged after police said she sent one of her students inappropriate pictures and videos.
Whitney Fite Baker, 28, formerly a teacher at the Turning Point Academy, is said to have started the inappropriate relationship with the student, a 17-year-old boy, last school year and continued it into this one, according to the Shelby Star.
She and the teen exchanged provocative images through social media, and, on one occasion, she is said to have had an unprofessional interaction with the victim at the school.
Baker, of High Shoals Road, Mooresboro, was charged with three counts of taking indecent liberties with a student and turned herself in to the authorities at 10 am this past Wednesday, November 20. She was released after posting a $25,000 bond.
Following the arrest, schools spokesman Greg Shull said, "We are thankful for the support of our local law enforcement agencies in Cleveland County and appreciate their diligence in ensuring the safety of our schools."
The 28-year-old's first appearance in court on November 21 was an eventful one, with the victim's mother making sure she made her feelings about the entire ordeal known and getting involved in a fiery exchange with the teacher's mother.
She told WSOC-TV that investigators informed her Baker took pictures and videos of herself while on campus and shared it with her son on social media, before turning her attention to the teacher outside the courtroom and telling her, "Why are you covering your face? You weren't covering it when you were sending the photos and videos."
When Baker's mother responded with, "Neither was your boy," she hit back saying, "I sent my child to school to get an education, not this."
She revealed her son had a learning disability and had relied on Baker to get through the day. "If he was having a stressful day at school, he could go to her class," she said.
"I think it's disgusting, and I think she is disgusting," she said of the allegations against the 28-year-old, adding that "she shouldn't be about to work with no kids anymore, at all, period."
Investigators are reportedly still looking into the possibility that there are further victims. "This is still a very active investigation," said Maj. Joel Shores with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. "We still have several students to talk to."