Teacher faces sodomy charge involving student

By NewsPress Now

A Robidoux Middle School teacher has been charged with first-degree sodomy following an incident with a student.

Everett T. Harding, who teaches math at the school, allegedly had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl on May 7. St. Joseph School District officials referred to the teacher as Tim Harding.

According to a probable cause statement filed in the case, Harding had the girl come to his classroom after school and locked the door. The girl later told her mother and forensic investigators that the teacher touched her genitals and had her touch him as well while they were in the room alone for about 50 minutes, court documents said.

Other staff members reported inappropriate behavior they allegedly witnessed involving Harding leading up to the incident. One person said she went to his classroom on May 7 and found the door locked but later saw Harding and the victim leave, the probable cause statement said.

The court document also noted Harding had contact with the victim outside of school through electronic communication.

District officials acknowledged Harding’s arrest over the weekend and issued a statement.

“The district has been fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities in our investigation of this matter and will continue to do so,” it reads.

School leaders said they also reached out to Robidoux Middle School parents about the situation.

Bond has been denied for Harding, according to court records.