Local News
Former Ripon High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexual Relationship with Student
A former
accused of having a sexual relationship with a student returned to court this
week. 28-year old Samantha Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a
student by school staff – while three other counts were dismissed.
According to
the criminal complaint, the male student was 16 when the encounters began. He
told police there was no relationship, while others say he talked about it.
Phone records show the exchange of sexually explicit messages between
Fitzpatrick and the student, and a friend of Fitzpatrick’s says she admitted to
the affair.
She resigned from her teaching position in May of 2017. Her next
court date has not yet been set.