Texas teacher allegedly sent nude photos to 15-year-old student
An eighth-grade teacher in Texas resigned after being arrested for allegedly sending sexually explicit messages and photos to a 15-year-old on Instagram.
Christine Paige Cockrell, an earth science teacher at Gatesville Junior High School, is charged with indecency with a child and possession of child pornography with intent to distribute.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by local media including KXXV and KWTX.
On April 11, the 15-year-old high school student told the Gatesville Independent School District that he and Cockrell had been exchanging nude photos and sexting since October 2023.
The teen said Cockrell sent him “naked photos of her breasts” and asked him to send “naked photos of himself,” according to the complaint.
The complaint also alleges that Cockrell said she wanted to take “a younger man under her wing and teach him things, as if he were 16.“
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While speaking with authorities, Cockrell allegedly revealed that a former student now living in Ohio had propositioned him for sex.
Detectives contacted this former student and learned that Cockrell had sent him a message via Instagram shortly after March 4, 2023, his 17th birthday, telling him he was “cute.”
When the student told Cockrell he was still a high school student, Cockrell responded, “No one needs to know,” investigators wrote in the complaint.
Former student told authorities Cockrell propositioned him for sex
When authorities questioned Cockrell, she allegedly revealed that a former student had propositioned her for sex, according to the complaint.
Detectives contacted the former student and learned that Cockrell had messaged him on Instagram around his 17th birthday, March 4, 2023, telling him he was “cute,” according to the complaint.
When the student told the teacher he was in high school, she responded, “No one needs to know,” the court heard, according to KWTX.
There are currently no allegations of inappropriate contact, Gatesville ISD told Fox 44. The district also said it will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.
Cockrell posted $20,000 bail on Saturday and was released from the Coryell County Jail, Fox 44 reported.
