A high school teacher in Louisiana is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year old boy and inappropriately touching him in her car while her child slept in the backseat.
Tatum Hatch, 32, is being accused of telling the teen that she wanted to be his ‘first’ person to have sex with and take his virginity.
On Wednesday, Hatch of West Monroe, was arrested and charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor. However, she was released on a $10,000 bond the next day.
Hatch’s actions came to light in December when the West Monroe Police Department contacted the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office about a student who came forward about his teacher.
The teen’s father told authorities that his son confided in him about a sexual relationship with Hatch. The father was troubled and shocked that the relationship had been going on for a year and a half before his son confessed to him.
The father had proof of the relationship from sexually explicit Instagram messages that were screen-recorded and handed them into authorities.
According to court documents, Hatch wanted the teen boy to sneak into her bedroom window. She told him it was safer for him to come to her house rather than meeting at his home.
When the boy told her he was scared, she comforted him and said she was worried that he would find someone else to be his first sexual encounter.
On Dec. 16, 2023, police interviewed Hatch, who allegedly admitted that she spoke to the boy on Instagram messenger.
The day before, Hatch was placed on administrative leave from her job at West Monroe High School, the Ouachita Parish School Board said. However, on Dec. 26 the school board confirmed that hatch had resigned.
Hatch is scheduled to return to court on Friday January 12th.
