Former Teacher Gets Reduced Bail in Sex Scandal Case

SAN BERNARDINO – A bail reduction was granted to a former high school teacher who is accused of having sex acts with at least three under-age teenagers.

Laura Elizabeth Whitehurst, 28, who police say gave birth to a baby girl that was fathered by a 16-year-old student from Citrus Valley High School in Redlands, will return to court on Wednesday in hopes of striking a plea deal, according to the District Attorney’s office. San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Arthur Harrison refused to grant Whitehurst’s release on her own recognizance, but reduced her bail from $750,000 to $500,000.

Laura Elizabeth Whitehurst in two booking photos from Redlands PD and San Bernardino Sheriffs

Reports were made that Whitehurst had said she would leave the state once her actions had been reported to police. There are three apparent victims and, according to the District Attorney’s office, a fourth victim has come forward, but the statute of limitations had passed. There was no additional information about the fourth victim.

Allegations against Whitehurst date back to 2008 when she reportedly began having physical relationships with her students. One of those students, Michael Cooper, now 22, publicly admitted his relationship with Whitehurst. He was reportedly a freshman at the time. Whitehurst has been charged with 41 felony counts of sex acts with three under-age teens. The boys ranged in age between 14 and 17 years, said authorities.

She gave birth to her baby daughter on June 18. Reportedly, the baby’s father, now 17-years-old, was in the delivery room with Whitehurst and other members of her family. On July 1, she was arrested. When those allegations surfaced, the other victims reportedly stepped forward. Whitehurst, who is being held at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested again on July 8 when the new allegations surfaced. Her bail had been set at $250,000 for the original allegation, but raised to $750,000 when the two other victims stepped forward.

Whitehurst, an English teacher, had taught at Redlands East Valley, Redlands, Orangewood and Citrus Valley high schools.

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Daily News: Bail reduced for former Redlands teacher accused of sex crimes