Bennett Middle teacher sentenced in court
Former Bennett Middle School teacher, thirty-three year- old Kelly Riddle, was facing two counts of felony charges for the sexual abuse of a minor on Monday in the Wicomico County Circuit Court.
However, she managed to walk out the court room with one count dismissed and the other amended to a misdemeanor. She was formally charged with contributing to the condition of a minor.
Bennett admitted she was guilty of sending frequent inappropriate text messages to a 14-year-old girl, who was also her former student.
Oleg Fastovsky, Riddle’s attorney says, “It was just a situation where an individual should have sought help from someone else and took it upon themselves. That went maybe a little too far.”
In the courtroom Monday, the prosecutor explained Riddle was serving as the victim’s mentor and tutor. The student had apparently been struggling with emotional issues and was said to have been “cutting” herself, seeking out help in Riddle.
In May, the victim’s mother found a phone in her room filled with text messages from her former teacher. There were more than one- hundred “I love you” messages shared between the two found in the phone.
Riddle also sent messages like…
“You are a pretty whore and you dress nice.”
“My feelings for you are absolutely insane.”
“I love you babe. I could spend forever with you.”
We’re told within a three day period, more than 1,700 text messages were shared between the two of them. The victim’s mother immediately took the phone to Bennett Middle.
Fastovsky continues, “No one alleged any harm. Even the prosecutor said that she thinks there wasn’t any action that was taken to harm another individual, or preying on another individual.”
The victim admitted the only physical contact she and Riddle ever had was a hug, nothing sexual. The plea deal was offered at her request. It ultimately relieved Riddle of potential felony charges.
Fastovsky goes on, “Everything that’s been resolved today can hopefully put the family at their satisfaction. We can put it to rest and allow Ms. Riddle who is fairly young, to move on with her life.”
Under the plea deal, Riddle will serve eighteen months with all but eight- days suspended. She’ll be spending that time in the warden’s work program.
Riddle is also no longer allowed to be a teacher, cannot have any contact with the victim, will be on probation for three years following her sentence, and was also ordered to be mentally evaluated.
The judge denied Riddle’s request for probation before judgement, for the time being.
Riddle’s attorney tells 47 ABC judges will often make that decision to allow the defendant to earn their probation before judgement.
