A Rehobeth teacher accused of having illegal sexual activity with a 16-year old student and later charged with Possession of Child Pornography will be fired next Monday. Superintendent Tim Pitchford said Robert Lee Michael was given a 15-day notice of termination required under Alabama law. The last day of the notice period is Tuesday, clearing the way for the board to dismiss Michael in its next regularly scheduled meeting.
Michel, 43, is jailed on felony allegations he had sex with the student three times. Michael was arrested after, according to investigators, he fled the girl's home when the teen's mom returned home unexpectedly April 20. The mother, during a 911 phone call, said Michel was in the bedroom with her daughter engaging in sexual activity.
Sheriff Andy Hughes said Michel ran from the home without clothes on. Michel was captured a short time later--clad in only trash bags. He was charged under a recently-enacted Alabama law that makes it a felony for a teacher to engage in sexual relations with a student under the age of nineteen.
After a subsequent search of a computer and drives at Michael's home, he was additionally charged with four counts of possessing pornography.
A judge has denied bail request from Michael's attorney.
Meanwhile, the teacher accused of verbally abusing a special needs student confined to a wheelchair will not have her contract renewed.
Alicia Brown was placed on administrative leave, and an aide resigned, after a tape recording was made that indicates the two may have verbally abused 10-year old Jose Salinas.
It is believed evidence was presented to a grand jury last week as part of criminal probe but no charges have been announced.
