By Maria Allard CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A former Roseville High School teacher was arraigned on criminal sexual conduct charges Sept. 24 after police discovered she allegedly had consensual sex with a student during the 2006-07 school year. Janelle Batkins, 42, of Harrison Township was arraigned in 41B District Court in Clinton Township before Judge Sebastian Lucido on two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. Personal bond was set at $25,000. Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel said information was brought to Roseville police by the student’s mother that an “improper relationship was taking place” between Batkins and her 17-year-old son. The student was reportedly an aide of Batkins’. According to Hackel, Batkins and the student allegedly had consensual sex “numerous times at her home and one time in a car somewhere in Roseville” between December 2006 and July 2007. The pair kept in contact through numerous e-mails and text messages, Hackel said. Roseville police initiated an investigation and then turned the information over to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. The student graduated in June 2007. Police interviewed faculty members and students during the investigation. While the age of sexual consent in Michigan is 16, Hackel said because Batkins was in the position of authority, the third degree charges were brought against her. She was charged with two counts of CSC because there are “at least two instances we had accounted for,” Hackel said. “We may believe there have been more based on what (the student) was telling us,” Hackel said. A court representative said Batkins has retained attorney Thomas Loeb. Loeb couldn’t be reached for comment on the case. Batkins resigned from her teaching position this summer. Roseville Community Schools Superintendent John Kment said Batkins didn’t disclose her reasons for terminating her employment with the district. “It’s disappointing,” Kment said of the charges. “We hire staff thinking they’re going to protect kids.” Batkins had taught English and foreign language. Kment said school officials were able to hire a teacher to fill the position vacated when she left. In 2006, Batkins celebrated her 15th year with RCS. While examining her personnel file, Kment said, “There was nothing negative in her file.” A preliminary exam is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 30. You can reach Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045. |
