Newly divorced assistant principal and mother-of-one, 33, 'had sex with teen student'

  • Catherine Bell turned herself into authorities in Shelby County, Alabama on Thursday after a warrant was put out for her arrest
  • She resigned from the school in November after the investigation began
  • Court records show she divorced her husband, with whom she has a four-year-old son, in the summer
  • She's charged with having sex with a student under the age of 19

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 12:09 EST, 13 December 2013 | UPDATED: 12:09 EST, 13 December 2013

A newly-divorced high school assistant principal has been arrested after allegedly having sex with one of her teenage students.

Catherine Michele Bell, 33, turned herself in to the Shelby County Jail in Alabama on Thursday afternoon after a warrant was put out for her arrest.

Bell, who has a four-year-old son with her ex-husband, has been charged with three counts of 'engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse' with a student under the age of 19.

She was held in the Shelby County Jail but was released later on Thursday evening after posting $90,000 bond.

Arrest: Catherine Michelle Bell, 33, has been accused of having sex with a teenage male student while she was an assistant principal at an Alabama high school. She has resigned and faces charges

Arrest: Catherine Michelle Bell, 33, has been accused of having sex with a teenage male student while she was an assistant principal at an Alabama high school. She has resigned and faces charges

Bell, from Alabaster, was one of four assistant principals at Pelham High School, attended by around 800 students, until she resigned in November.

Court records show she and her husband Jeff divorced in August and have shared custody of their young son, AL.com reported.

 

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The sheriff's office launched an investigation after being contacted by the Pelham Police Department, Capt. Ken Burchfield told the news sites.

Authorities would not release specifics about the allegations against Bell and did not reveal the age of her alleged victim.

Happier times: She is pictured with her ex-husband, whom she divorced this summer, and their son

Happier times: She is pictured with her ex-husband, whom she divorced this summer, and their son

Shelby County Schools spokeswoman Cindy Warner said they would not be answering questions but released a statement saying they took the allegations seriously.

'The school district took immediate action when we were first made aware of the allegations,' she said. 'The employee was placed on administrative leave while the matter was being investigated by the school district, with the assistance of local law enforcement.

'She subsequently resigned from her position on November 21.'

Shelby County parents told WBRC that they are frustrated about this latest case - which comes less than two weeks after another teacher in the county pleaded guilty to similar charges.

'It's disheartening to hear that happened once again,' said Heather Bennett.

Scene: She resigned from Pelham High School after the investigation into her conduct began

Scene: She resigned from Pelham High School after the investigation into her conduct began

'You're already worried about the safety of your children with all the school shootings, on top of the fact you can't trust you teachers, much less a principal now.'

Bell's attorny Tommy Spina said that Bell has fully cooperated with law enforcement and school officials since the allegations emerged.

Spina added that the statute she has been charged under makes it illegal for any school employee to have sexual contact with a student, whether or not they are above the age of consent.

'It's essentially a strict liability statute, rare in criminal cases, which normally requires a specific intent to do something the law forbids,' he added to AL.com.

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Of course she did,wouldn't expect anything else.

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Why doesn't the DM just have a regular section for this? Yeah, it's a small percentage, but every single day?

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And her ex is a good looking guy - and the father of her child. Maybe she should have appreciated what she had at home.

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I'm sure when she's given probation for being a female predator, the family court social worker is going to up her child support.

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She has the neck of a linebacker.

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Where were these teachers when I was in school? - Sean, Detroit, United States, 13/12/2013 7:10 pm Don't you write that lame comment every time a female teacher abuses a male student? These types of women (and I use the term loosely) have always been around. Clearly they just weren't interested in you. And frankly. I just wish ADULTS would STOP touching CHILDREN. Male ....or female.

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Her mug shot is scary

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SHE LOOKS CREEPY AND THE SIZE OF KER NECK DAMNNNN!

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From what I have read, the kid was 18.

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Those.....eyes!! Feeling.........sleepy........

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