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The Bourbon County Attorney's office filed a criminal complaint Monday morning against Abby C. Kramer, 23, in the Bourbon County District Court as a result of her arrest Wednesday afternoon after school officials reported an incident reagarding an alleged sexual relationship between Kramer and a 17-year-old FSHS student.
Kramer was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child and three counts of unlawful sexual relations, according to Bourbon County Court documents. All charges are felony charges. Sexual exploitation of a child carries a maximum sentence of 136 months, while each count of unlawful sexual relations carries a maximum of 13 months.
According to court documents, sexual exploitation of a child refers to the possession of any visual or audio medium in which a depiction of a child under 18 years of age is shown or heard engaging in sexually explicit conduct, with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire or appeal to the prurient interest of the offender, the child or another.
The charges of unlawful sexual relations are described as the offender unlawfully and feloniously engaging in consensual sexual intercourse, sodomy, or lewd fondling or touching with a child under 18 years of age.
All incidences are believe to have occurred on, about, or between Nov. 3, 2009 and May 12, 2010, according to court documents.
During a special meeting of the USD 234 Board of Education Monday afternoon, Kramer's employment with the district was officially terminated by a unanimous vote. USD 234 Superintendent Rick Werling said Kramer was not only the FSHS dance team sponsor but was also the sponsor for GEAR UP, a program FSHS contracted through Neosho County Community College.
GEAR UP is a program funded through the United States Department of Education which is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education, according to the USDE website. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.
NCCC GEAR UP Grant Program Director Brenda Armstrong declined to comment on Kramer's employment with the program and the charges filed against Kramer.
When asked by The Tribune for a comment regarding the district condoning this type of behavior by its employees, Werling declined comment citing personnel matters.
"It's a personnel issue; I can't discuss it with anyone," Werling said.
Kramer was released on May 14 after posting a $25,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in the Bourbon County District Court at 9 a.m. Monday, June 14.
Comments
never thought sins of the flesh would keep anybody working for the 234
Yes, but isn't it quite a different sin when one engages with a student? Hanky Panky between two consenting adults is quite different. The school board had no other choice than to get rid of Ms. Kramer. She will surely become a registered sex offender the same as Randy Carter.
Aren't 17 year olds and younger often tried as adults when it is they who commit the crime?
How is it 17 year olds are adults if they murder or even rob someone, and children if they have sex? I believe a 17 year old can even enlist in the military if they have graduated from high school. Does this mean we have child soldiers?
I'm not trying to claim she is innocent of breaking the law, or acting immorally or unethically. I'm just pointing out the conflicts of law regarding people around this age group.
DO we really need to have her picture up like that? I mean come on this is a small community, we know what she looks like. There is enough damage done to her by her own doing let alone this paper putting up a picture like that for everyone to see.
Not everyone knows her.
When we have others in town that get in trouble, their photos are published with little or no complaint.
This whole story breaks my heart... I imagine that outside this small world of Bourbon County that we either live in or have lived in, there is a whole lot more of the same kind of episodes going on. This girl was a friend of one of my daughters.. Spent time at my home, and my daughter spent time at their home. She was a good kid... Her family are nice people. I am sure that the same could be said for the victim's family. Does anyone know the story of the adulturous woman that Jesus dealt with when the crowd was ready to stone her?? Jesus bent down and wrote in the dirt... Nobody really knows what he was writing, but I have heard it told that He could have been writing people in the crowd's names and the sins they committed... Then Jesus stood up and told the crowd that whoever has not sinned, to cast the first stone. Guess what? The crowd left, and Jesus told the woman to go and sin no more. If a crime was committed, then let judgement be served. But, remember that none of us are without sin.
regardless if not everyone knows her, does everyone need to see the person who did the crime? does that really make a difference? why dont we put the pictures of everyone up that commits a crime? why this picture? I have not seen these other pictures because I do not get on here and read every story, this picture is just kind of a joke if you ask me, and im sure im not the only one who feels this way.
There are also pictures of other accused persons published. Abby is not being singled out. She slept with a student which she knew was wrong. Time to pay the piper now. I don't feel sorry for her. If you put your child in the place of this boy, I don't think there would be much sympathy for her. She may be a nice person. I don't know, but she did break the law.
I don"t think she is blameless but someone should check this boys background out and see just how promiscuous he is. I know for a fact he is not an angel..He also knew exactly what he was doing..
Multiple choice test just for fun.
The paper puts the picture out because:
(A)They are competing for a professionalism in journalism award somewhere.
(B)They are competing for a sleazy tabloid award somewhere.
(C)They have a sick, twisted sense of humor.
(D) They simply have no class combined with low standards.
(E)That's the picture they had. The one from when she was arrested. The one they usually use for the news.
why is this womans picture any different then the other mug shots that have been in the paper? she is upset because she got busted for breaking the law and sleeping with a child. as she should be. narrowminded i have seen many mug shots in a story. yeah this isnt the greatest picture but really? who cares? she broke the law. i just dont get why people get so bent out of shape for posting a mug shot. do you get so bent out of shape for the mug shots on here for the people that beat the crap out of someone? or someone trying to elude the police and lead in police chases? whats the difference? they have all broken the law. do i feel sorry for this chick that her mug shot is awful? nope. dont go sleeping with kids. and ksgirl. it really doesnt matter if the kid is "promiscuous" he is a minor and that is against the law to sleep with a minor. period. she should have used her better judgement and she obviously didnt. so there she is in her cry baby mugshot. boo frickin hoo
Wow, reading all this is alot to digest...Alot of good points going both ways. I dont think the age in this case is relavent at all, i think someone hit the nail on the head when they said Faculty-Student relationship, that is all that need be said. I do feel sorry for her, but lets look at this from different point of view...If she was 19 and working for the school would we feel the same? I also believe that is this was a 23 yr old boy and a 17 yr old girl there would be no mercy what so ever. I think someone in the school district needs to be accountable somewhat, Not all teachers are Bad, In fact very few i think, But with Carter, Hutchinson, and others farther on back that they had better get their p's and q's in order before the whole town is brought down with them. About the picture, come on now, A mug shot is a mug shot, if you dont want it in the paper, DONT break the law.
I agree with curiosity killed the cat, exactly right! That's all it boils down. She made a stupid choice and these are the consequences, plain and simple. I have a 17 year old son and I can tell you this, it's lucky for her that it wasn't my son she chose to put her hands on. Regardless of age, she worked for the school and this was a student. Right is right, wrong is WRONG. And what kind of woman does this to her husband?? How terrible for him!! It's very disturbing and the high school needs to do something considering this is not the first event of this kind and they need to put a stop to this stuff! Enough about the picture already, it's a mug shot and not the first one ever published...get over it!
I hope none of you ever serve on a jury, as I can see by your comments you like the smell and taste of blood.
I bet you all were dissappointed that the paper did not print the picture of the crime scene of the man who was recently shot and stabbed to death.
In fact, using their apparent standards, and history, I wonder why they did not put this on the front page too.
I think it is evident the overwhelming majority understands what she has done is wrong. Let the justice system deal with her as they may. I truly believe the questioning of the mug shot is nothing more than small town dynamics. Many of you have known this girl since she was little and as a result seeing her face in this circumstance is naturally upsetting. However, historically the method of displaying the accused to the public was to help reinforce to others that you do not want to act in the same manner - hopefully this negates some future behaviors. Regarding the school's responsibility, I beleive there are some large assumptions being made. I am sure the school did the appropriate background check prior to hiring her, and as many of you have said she was a respectful girl, known in the community. Short of putting extreme controls on faculty, there is little the school could have done to prevent this. Unless you would like your children to miss out on the ever important (healthy) relationship between teachers and students, than we may all need to accept that this type of thing happens. We are all fallible, but also responsible to live within society's laws.
like2b; I don't feel anyone here likes the smell and taste of blood??? We are all potential jurors. I am not interested in blood or anything unjust, but Ms. Kramer broke the law and that is the issue. I think that is what jurors will make a decision on - WAS A LAW BROKEN AND CRIME COMMITTED. In your opinion, do you feel it was wrong for her to be charged? WOW, I am not understanding your view at all.
I am also not understanding the comparison between the picture of a murder scene and a woman who has been accused of child molestation, etc. - this woman is now out on bond so for those of us who don't know her, we want to see what she looks like - don't want to hire her to "babysit"! We are talking about a 23 year old woman having an inappropriate and illegal relationship with a 17 year old only a couple months after she married. Does this not show how disturbed she is? People like her who prey on minors need extensive mental health intervention and still, many continue to commit these acts against minors. Don't think she will still be doing this when she is 50? Think again! This is not a matter of getting Jesus and being forgiven. This woman if proven guilty must be taken off the streets, be given treatment and be listed and maintained as a sexual offender. This supposedly went on for about 5 months or so. Also, for a 17 year old to go into the military, it requires a parent's signature and I doubt the same applies in this case. If it would have been a son of mine.....you can bet on it!
I think all of you need a life. Put yourself in her parents shoes would you want people talking about your kid like this...NO you wouldn't!! I think this is the bad part about a small town if it isn't hurting you then shut the **** up. It just gets so old. If you was really a child of god then you would let him judge her remember its not your place. I am sure all this gossip is a sin all sins are the same size so how about we talk about you all for sometime oh that's right not enough time for that. Everybody sins and does things they shouldn't even if you don't make the paper don't make you any better!!!
poor ellen,
I think the "potential" punishment does not fit the crime. Do I think these kinds of things are ok? no.
As I stated earlier, when her divorce becomes final and he turns 18 soon, if they get married.....then what?
Just curious.
re the paper. I think crimes, gory accident photo's and related articles ought to be relegated to a page other than the front page for many reasons.
If someone marries their rapist, then was the rape not a crime? Has there been mention that this child predator is going to marry her victim? As for her family, I would think they would want this information out there so there will be a few sets of eyes watching her - I would want this if it were my daughter and I would be wanting her to get help and, frankly, wondering if there were others. Too bad Ms. Kramer didn't stop to consider how her criminal actions were going to affect herself (the predator), the boy (her victim) and her family and friends - ah, the selfishness of a predator when going after the prey - they see nothing else, think nothing else and feel nothing else. I still say "Take the keys and lock her up!"
like2b: Although a crime has been committed, I doubt that Ms Kramer will spend any time behind bars. Aaron Myers was only given probation, right? I suspect she will get the same. If they then get married after she pays her dues, then it would be a Mary Kay Lateurno situation. Mary Kay married her victim after 7 years in prison and after he reached the age of 21. Then it would be nobody's business.
Just want to add, I know her parents and grandmother and feel sorry that they are going through this. It must be terrible for the family.
at the age of 17 you are able to make choices for yourself. I doubt the girl raped the young man! I am sure he enjoyed every minute of it! Was she wrong? YES! Should her entire life be ruined because of the crime? NO.
First of all if you want to see her look better in pictures go to her Facebook page. Second, he was just as dumb as she was. I hear they even crossed state lines and rented motel rooms. I'm guessing she didn't force him to do that (it that is true). Third, someone previously made a comment about the timing of this newpaper putting it in print after network TV broke the story. You can't tell me that this community didn't know about it as soon as they were caught. This is now up to the legal system, good or bad as it may be, and to God. I pray they both can handle what is to come and will get their lives together. They are young beautiful kids who need to know that they have support even if they made a dumb mistake. I, for one, will be praying for them and their families.
farmgirl3- i think if you are going to put yourself in shoes, you should do so for other people besides her parents. how about her husband? her husband that is the most trust worthy and reliable person ive ever met in my life. the husband that was nothing other than wonderful to her and that put complete trust in her as she lied to him day after day and tore his life apart without any remorse. so you see, it is hurting us, as many of us are friends of her husbands and get to see on a daily basis what this has done to him. it is now his last name (that she only had for a short amount of time before the infidelity began)that she is dragging through the mud. his shoes might be worth trying on as well.
This kid also loves to prey on 13 year old girls by texting them sexual messages that are completely inappropriate and was warned and continued to text......who is the one who needs help in this duo??? Should have pressed charges on him!!!!!!!
Hey truthcomesout that is the risk you take when you get married. People get a divorce all the time maybe he should have spent more time getting to know her before he said I do. I don't now either one of them but I'm a parent and a wife it would hurt me a lot worse if my child got in this trouble then my husband. I can change husbands but my children will always be my children no matter what. He can move on and find someone else...I'm sure in time he will be fine. With his name going through the mud..I don't understand the paper has never said anything about him. You might be the only one so worried about his last name looking bad.
Dancing Machine,
How many times does the FSHS staff get to mess with students before something is done???????? At least 3 now that we can confirm...lets get that number up to about 10 before we take a stand...Good thinking. Maybe we should change the name of the school to PREDATOR HIGH.
I know some of the teachers at the high school, 99% are INNOCENT. The whole it will pass comment really made me mad. I just dont get that people dont think there is a serious problem with 3 occurances in such a short period. I did not attend fshs but something like this has never happened at the high school i attended. If it did at least they were smart enough not to get caught. If a show like 60 minutes got wind of this the whole town would get trashed, so why act like it is no big deal. Rumor has it they got caught at the high school, if that is true did the boy get suspended for his actions? Dont know if this is true but if it is where was his punishment?
Curiosity,
What would you have them do? Cameras in every class room? GPS tracking monitors on every teacher to be worn at all times? What "stand" should be taken?
I never said that i have the answer, what i am saying is There is a Problem and that we should not just stick our head in the sand and say, "this type of thing happens". I believe that is unacceptable. It is a institute of higher learning right????? Why has it happened at least 3 times? Do you think we should do absolutly nothing?
Curiosity,
I am just acknowledging that it is easy to point a finger at a problem and offer no substantive answer. We could do it all day. The U.S. has a rediculous deficit....somthing should be done! People text too much while they are driving....something should be done! Simon is leaving American Idol....something should be done! I beleive if you have a true desire in seeing a change than you should at least offer up some sort of guidance or suggested plan. I beleive if you are going to be passionate about something, as I can sense you are, you should offer the time to think through possible solutions - not simply point out the problem.
abby did wrong, no doubt....but i feel teachers (or administrators) who engage in adulterous affairs..and the community knows who they are.....should never be allowed to work with our children again.......
To stop this from happening so often between teacher/student, there needs to be a deterrent like not being soft on the offenders, and sentencing the predators to the maximum jail time allowed by law. It is up to the justice system now but I am just saying it is time to get tough.
I understand you are trying to stand up for your friend but you are reaching. If someone marries their rapist yeah that would happen.
I know it would be hard to see someone you care about mug shot on the front page of the news paper. It's called front page news.
You're right if she is divorced and he is 18 it's not a big deal, but she is legally still married and the boy was not 18 and a student.
And farmgirl3... how can you talk to all of us about sin when I think we all know what your **** stood for.
I agree with you dancing, i just want people to aknowledge there is a problem first.....
You know every time something happens in this town some of you can"t wait to run your mouths. Everyone has an opinion just as I do and I expressed mine also but some of you just go on and on. She and the boy knew whst they were doing. Should she spend her life in jail I don't think so but time will tell. He is just as guilty as she is but the law will decide. Give it a rest and wait to see what happens...
its called news.
I wonder if the school system has an agressive program in place teaching all faculty, staff and parent aides, etc. how to recognize, report and act upon questionable behavior? It is the duty of all adults to protect our youth from inappropriate, predatory behavior. Adults should never put themselves in situations with youth that can be called to question. The student/teacher/coach/faculty relationship is very unique and often lines unintentionally get crossed. In this case, it appears the line was intentionally crossed. Didn't anyone in the building have the slightest idea there may be a problem? I know some of the students did!
There are numerous programs available that the district could implement to provide training on this. If one is already in place, perhaps it should be re-evaluated?
I thought for a few days before I posted on this, I feel for the victim of this crime The husband, My heart goes out to him,
As for the rest of the people involved well you all raise good points but you know we all know the the police have a officer in the high school my question is where was he during all this you cant tell me that students or someone didnt see this or knew and didnt say something from what all I have read from all of you it made me wonder truth is none of us know and we must all let the courts handle it It is a shame and it bothers us all as parents as we send our kids off to school each day but again the teachers administrators and the student resource officer is supposed to keep them safe my only question was if this was so open as people say then why didnt they step in
just a thought
What About Hutch and Ms. Allen he hit that the whole time she was in school, and now they are living happily in Wisconsin
Not sure who the person is she is accused of having a "relationship" with. I do not know her, and am not involved. Since it is a minor, if the person you listed HAHAHA is accurate, I bet you just violated state and/or federal law by releasing it.
Nevermind, I see the Tribune just deleted it.
In The Words of the Cops from South Park........"NICE!"
No joke, there was a kids name listed. If it was the correct name, then it is a violation of the law. If it is the wrong name, then that would be libel. Either way, posting the minors name is wrong and just causes more trouble.
I don't care if this woman grew up in FS, or if she is a nice person, she committed a crime. She is an ADULT and he is a MINOR. It does not matter one ounce what type of person he is...she is the one who should have better judgement. If he was my son I would fight to make sure she received the maximum sentence. Our children should be safe when we send them to school...not preyed upon by sick adults in positions of authority.
"What About Hutch and Ms. Allen he hit that the whole time she was in school, and now they are living happily in Wisconsin
-- Posted by nothingaboutyou on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 12:21 PM "
As a friend of the Allen family, that is RUDE. You haven't watched what has happened to that family. You ever seen one of your best friends CRY cause she lost her big sister to some sick man? That's why there is a law in place preventing this from happening again to someone else's family. So why don't you shut the freak up and GROW A PAIR. You cant even put your real name on here? Thats pathetic.
Too bad Miss Caulfield that FSHS has not taught you how to act AND TALK like a young lady.
Lauren, don't listen to the fat tiger. You called it like you see it. Lauren like others has the right to express her frustration and anger. Saying what she feels is not a crime.
When angry, count to four, when very angry, swear.--- Mark Twain
Why So Serious?!?!
what, me worry?
http://www.justdetention.org/pdf/legalre...
So it would not be Illegal if she were not a school employee. If she were someone on the street it would be legal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_con...
Finally, someone got it right!
That's why all these people calling her a pedophile,child molester,etc are so wrong, and labeling him a "child" is so wrong too!
It is only illegal because she is a school employee.
So, it is a good thing that an adult can have a sexual relationship with a minor in Kansas? She'll be doing this when she is 50 and who in your life might it effect then? As I said, sexual addiction is very hard if not impossible to cure and everyone with a child (despite what you may want to call them but for nearly every other purpose they are legally a minor so they aren't taken advantage of) needs to be concerned. I still say "Take the keys and lock her up - one less on the street!"
First,I don't believe it is ok for anyone to have sex outside of marriage, and the law sets the boundries on who can marry who, which is fine by me.
Now,you claim a 17 year old man is a child? Go tell that to them! Then tell me why they can join the military, fight and die for our country(oh with parents permission) and tell me why at 18 they can join,be trusted to run million dollar pieces of equipment,vote,fight and die for us, but it is against the law for them to buy a beer. Then tell me why they are often considered "adults" by the same courts that call them "not adults" at other times. While you are at it please explain the age of consent laws, especially the part where it's legal(obviously kansas law thinks it's ok) for a 16 year old minor to have consensual sex with someone over 18(not a minor). Last after all this, please explain how all these laws are rational.
like2b - I completely agree with everything you said! There is nothing about this relationship that is okay. She was a person of authority at the school and that authority carries responsibilities. She also has a husband, and has a moral obligation to that marriage. In this case, the age is really not the issue. Is it right - no. But is our legal system completely inconsistent with regard to the adult/minor distinction... Absolutely!
Some people, I swear. And by those people I don't mean the ones involved in this whole incident,... I speak of the moron's who posted comments here about things they know nothing about except for what they read or have "heard."
One of you made an interesting point, about the fact that if this 17 year old had murdered or assaulted someone in a violent manor, he would have been tried as an adult.
Also, to those of you you keep insisting the boy is a child, in Kansas the age of consent is 16.
If this had been nothing more than a college kid and high school kid doing the same thing. No one really would have cared.
The only issue is the fact that she was working for the school. THAT IS IT. The courts would not be charging her with anything had she not worked for the school. If it was the boy involved in the charges being brought up, then 1; he is being offered a deal to push the charges so he will be allowed to graduate. (Which the board has done before so it looked like they were actually doing something about the situation, but only cause they were worried about how they would look, nothing more. A trip to the courthouse records room and you can confirm that.) And 2; if the boy was pressing charges then where is the kidnapping and rape charge? Any takers?
People need to quit basing their opinions on what they hear or just what they read. This article doesn't give the whole story, do some research and find out first before you post ridiculously stupid comments.
I have to laugh at the postings regarding people talking of how our town looks. Do you realize you are posting on a page that can be read all over the world,...it is the internet after all.
You would think if people were worried about how this makes the town look, they wouldn't post comments that make their I.Q.'s look smaller.