Name: Amy McElhenney

School: Hebron High School

City: Denton County, TX

Age of Teacher: 25

Age of Student: 18

Rank: 12

Charges: One count of improper relationship with a student

 

Summary: Amy McElhenney was a 25-year-old Hebron High School Spanish teacher and former Miss Texas contestant. In May of 2006, she was accused of having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old male student. Under Texas state law, the age of consent is 17 years old, however a law passed in the state legislature made it illegal for teachers to have sexual relationships with students regardless of their age. The incident came to light after a school resource officer reported that McElhenney and the student had exchanged text messages that "constitute a flirtatious and endearing relationship." When interviewed, McElhenney denied sexual contact with the student, however the student told police that he and the teacher had had sex on "numerous occasions" at her apartment. In September of 2006, the grand jury refused to indict McElhenney on the charge of felony improper relationship with a student. However, she lost her teaching certificate.