One high school teacher has been arrested and another has been ordered to court to answer charges in connection with a wild party in Bossier City this past weekend involving teachers, high-school age students and drinking games, police said today.
A teacher who allegedly hosted the party at her home was arrested Tuesday and accused of participating in drinking games. Leanne Marie Burt, 42, of Bossier City, a teacher at Byrd High School in Shreveport, was booked on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and letting a disorderly place. She has been placed on leave by the Caddo school system.
A Bossier Parish teacher who was at the party some of the time was issued a citation by police to come to court to answer charges of improper supervision of a minor that allege she drank in front of students. Airline High School teacher Tricia Cooney, 35, has been placed on leave by the Bossier school system.
Burt's lawyer, Ray Kethley, said today his client knew there was alcohol in the house but did not provide it to anyone. He said there was no other improper behavior at the house that night.
Cooney's lawyer said she and her 13-year-old daughter stopped by Burt's house on Melrose Avenue but didn't know about the party. As more and more students started coming to the house, Cooney left, her lawyer said.
Bossier City Police Chief Mike Halphen said Burt's daughter had invited friends over last Saturday night and Burt participated in drinking games. All of those present were Airline students or alumni and ranged in age from 16 to 20, Halphen said.
Sexual activity began after Burt went to bed about 3:30 a.m., Halphen said.
There was no evidence either teacher's daughter drank that night, Halphen said.
Halphen said the investigation began after the school resource officer at Airline got a tip about what had happened.
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