Utah teacher Brianne Altice defends relationship with teenage student
The former high school teacher admitted abusing three of her pupils
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A teacher who was jailed after she admitted sexual contact with three of her students has reportedly defended her relationship with one of the victims, saying she helped to improve his grades.
Brianne Altice, 36, was given a lengthy sentence of two to 30 years in prison in the high profile case in Utah last summer, after she pleaded guilty to forcible sexual abuse involving three 16- and 17-year-old boys.
Altice originally faced a range of 14 felony charges including five counts of rape, and a lawsuit has now been lodged against her and her former employer, Davis High School, by one of the victims and his parents.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Altice has now submitted a handwritten two-page document in federal court saying she had “no evil or malicious intent” in her relationship with the boy.
Altice wrote that she could not afford a lawyer, but insisted she had never been reprimanded by the school for her conduct in the classroom.
She said the boy had come to her for advice on his difficult relationship with his parents, and described how he would stand up for her in school by “thwart[ing] inappropriate comments directed at her”.
“Ms. Altice expressed and advised [the boy] to communicate with his parents and continue to do his best in school,” the teacher wrote, adding the boy’s grades showed improvement while she was his teacher.
The original complaint alleged that the school’s management was told about Altice’s inappropriate behaviour with her male students, but did not act on the information. The school has denied officials had any knowledge of what was going on.
The Tribune reported that no trial date had been set for the lawsuit.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments