Texas ‘Teacher of the Year’ Accused of 2007 Sexual Relationship With Female Student: Report

A former “Teacher of the Year” in Texas was arrested after a former student, now an adult, came forward with allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship with the teacher while she was a teenager. 

Brandyn Hargrove, a teacher at Brazoswood High School in Clute, was charged with six counts of sexual assault of a child, four counts of indecency with a child by contact and two counts of indecency with a child by exposure, according to court records.

In September, a victim came forward and alleged Hargrove had started a sexual relationship with her in 2007 when she was 15 and a student at the school, local news station KTRK reported.

Hargrove was placed on paid administrative leave at the end of September, Brazosport ISD Superintendent Danny Massey told Texas Scorecard.

James Fitch, chief of police in Clute, said the crimes occurred off campus and the victim is now in her 30s, according to KHOU.

"Unfortunately, this happens more and more these days," Fitch told KTRK. "Since that time we have other laws in effect, the improper relationship between educator and student was not in effect back then. But your kids go to school and you trust the teachers with that and then these types of things happen."

The Brazosport school board voted in a special meeting in early January to fire Hargrove, Texas Scorecard reported. Her employment contract is expected to be terminated at the next board meeting on Jan. 22.

She had been with the school since 2002 and attended the high school herself, according to the news outlet. She has a 10-year-old son with her husband, per the outlet.