Teacher acquitted in molest case

Andrew Wainer

Huntington Beach teacher Jeffrey Kent Atkinson was acquitted on six

felony child molestation charges by an Orange County jury last week in

Santa Ana.

The William T. Newland Elementary School teacher was charged with

molesting nine third-grade girls during the 1997-98 school year, but

three of the charges were dropped by the prosecution when the students’

parents would not let them testify, said Kathy Tomlinson, a district

attorney investigator in the sex crimes unit.

Atkinson, 54, said he is unsure whether he wants to return to teaching

but said he will seek reimbursement from the Fountain Valley School

District, which put him on unpaid leave after his October 1998 arrest.

District and school officials were relieved after the trial, which

included testimony from students, teachers and the school’s principal.

“Many teachers and parents were relieved and pleased with the outcome of

the trial,” Supt. Marc Ecker said.

The superintendent said Atkinson’s employment status and possible back

pay will be negotiated.

Newland principal Mary Lou Watkins, who was subpoenaed by both the

prosecution and the defense, also said the end of the trial was a relief.

“We are happy that we can now move on,” she said. It will be up to the

district personnel staff to decide if Atkinson could return to the

school, Watkins said.

In any case, Atkinson said it is unlikely that he would want to return.

“How many teachers do you know who have returned to their schools after

an experience like this?” Atkinson said.

Atkinson described his arrest and suspension as a “nightmare” for himself

and his family. “It was a very difficult time,” he said. “I effectively

lost my job and I had no income.”

He said his case was evidence of an increasingly paranoid educational

system.

“We no longer let children be children,” Atkinson said. “We have made the

classroom sterile and empty.”

Elizabeth Aydelott, whose son was a student in Atkinson’s class four

years ago, was also pleased with the decision.

“He is a wonderful man and a loving person,” Aydelott said of Atkinson.

Aydelott said she fears that cases like Atkinson’s will scare men out of

the teaching profession. “I wouldn’t urge my son to be a teacher,” she

said.

In spite of the general relief with the end of the trial, Deputy Dist.

Atty. Laurie Hungerford said she was disappointed with the verdict and

fearful of what the acquittal could mean for schools.

“I am worried about the educational system and about children when

teachers are allowed to touch students the way Mr. Atkinson did,”

Hungerford said.