Texas teacher charged with continuous sexual abuse of former student

Tomball, Texas: Initially 31-year-old Marka Lee Bodine told the principal at Tomball Intermediate School that a former student was harassing her and making threats of self harm. She additionally alleged that the student had somehow gained access to private images of her and manipulated them.

KIRV reports though, that the investigation began after an unidentified former student contacted the Tomball Police Department to report a sexual relationship his former 6th grade teacher was involved in.

An investigation was launched last Monday into the allegations which was conducted by the Tomball Police Department working in conjunction with the Tomball Independent School District.

During the course of the investigation, both her cell phone and that of the student that she alleged was harassing her were searched.

It was determined that messages and images that were sexually explicit had been exchanged between them dating back to shortly after the boy had turned 13.

"It was definitely a cry out for help," Tomball Police Chief Jeff Bert said. "He had reached out to a school, and he reached out to the police department as well, so I think he just became overwhelmed with it and reached out to us."

"Most of the investigation indicates it's been about two and a half to three years" Bert continued. "Both social media, text, and other forms of evidence. And it does appear that this is one of those cases where grooming of the child was involved, in other words, getting the person to be feel trusted initially. Our big concern from the police department right now is to ensure that we have all the evidence of this case, but to ensure that there's no other children involved."

Saturday, April 17 Bodine was arrested and charged with continual sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and was booked into the Harris County Jail. She has since been released on $100,000 bond. Bodine was scheduled to make her first appearance in court this morning.

Investigators are asking that anyone with information contact Tomball Police Detective David White at (281) 290-1020.

Tomball Independent School district  issued a statement regarding the case indicating that once the investigation began, Bodine had been placed on administrative leave and that she had since resigned and was no longer employed with the district.

"The safety of our students in Tomball ISD is our number one priority and any substantiated allegations of employee misconduct with not be tolerated. The district will be providing the appropriate social-emotional support to students and staff; we ask the media and public to respect the safg4ety and privacy of the campus community."