Lauren Redfern, Basalt High School Gym Teacher Arrested On Suspicion Of Having Sex With 17-Year-Old

A physical education teacher at Basalt High School was booked Thursday on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.

Fox31 reports that Lauren Redfern, 25, turned herself in to the Eagle County Detention Center and was charged with sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust with a pattern of sexual abuse.

Redfern herself graduated from Basalt High School in 2004 and played for the basketball team. In 2010, the high school hired her to coach the girl's basketball team and be a gym teacher, according to Westword.

The Eagle County Sheriff's office says school officials reported an "unlawful sexual act" involving Redfern last Friday.

"The sexual acts between Redfern and the student are believed to have taken place over the duration of approximately 4 months. These sexual encounters took place at the residence of both Redfern and the victim in El Jebel," a press release from the Sheriff's office said.

According to Eagle County Undersheriff Mike McWilliam, the victim was 17 when the sexual contact began and is now 18. Both the victim and Redfern live in the El Jebel area, just over 22 miles outside of Aspen. McWilliam told the Glenwood Springs Post Independent that though initial interviews with the victim indicate that their relationship was consensual, it will not deter the Sheriff's Office from pressing charges against Redfern.

In Colorado, a 17-year-old can have consensual sexual relations with an adult as long as that person does not hold a position of trust, such as a teacher. However an 18-year-old can have sexual relations with an adult -- even if they're a teacher -- because 18-year-olds have adult standing, according to McWilliam.

Redfern is being held without bond, pending her appearance before a judge.

SLIDESHOW: Student-Teacher Sex Scandals

Comments

[jakehalsted]

10:46 PM on 05/06/2012

This woman should be ASHAMED! Where ARE her christian values? After all she is a teacher, probably an Obama voter. Probably wanted to get a child aborted ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT 2012!

[Paul Close]

10:38 AM on 03/03/2012

I suspect this was totally voluntary. Lol

[Hausowerschip]

12:43 PM on 03/01/2012

Debra LaFave, 25, had sex with a 14yo student. She made a plea deal that kept her out of prison.

?

Do men ever get plea deals keeping them out of prison after have sex with a minor under 16?

[kt queen]

03:12 AM on 02/27/2012

A child said he was hurT by a teacher why? Nobody is willing to help the child..thats what need to happened!..Instead they cover up a teacher bad arse!. Thats so wrong! Can it be becasue the child is Hispanic? I really think so..smh! We send our children to school ,thinking they are safe..but are they really? there is nobody to see what the "teachers" do to our kids, is their word against the so call "teacher" Nothing was done to help my grandson!!! they sweep the Incident under the carpet. Smh! But i will continue to seek help..nobody is willing to listen..Moms check your children every day for scratcher,bruises etc....Ask questions..even if the school deny wrong doing,call the police right away ,that`s what we should have done right away. ..for now all i can do is share my story..praying someone listen and give me advice on what to do. Nobody!!! did nothing to help my grandson! >:/

[artgardenr]

04:42 PM on 02/23/2012

Damn, where was she when I was in school? Oh, I forgot. I was in an all boys Catholic high school taught by all men and confessing about my impure thoughts.

[magopolis]

05:33 PM on 02/21/2012

Basalt High School: Where the Redfern Groans

sorry

[ActaNonVerbaNow]

09:53 PM on 02/20/2012

Not that anybody really cares what I think (I don't blame you, I"m just some random internet dude), but... I often complain about what in my mind are self serving double standards that alot of women (particularly feminists) have when it comes to co existence between the sexes. It's just my opinion; I mean no harm. Also, I do feel that I am justified in generalizing when appropriate but that every person is indeed an individual. So, not to be a hypocrite, I just want to extend a thanks and appreciation to all the women out there (seemingly the vast majority of women) who have no tolerance for double standards when it comes to this issue of grown ups sleeping with youngsters. On this issue, I believe it is we men (most anyway) that are misguided, irresponsible, and flat out wrong. So, kudos to you ladies and shame on you men.

[Dede Eagleburger]

10:38 AM on 02/21/2012

I care what you think!! And thank you for posting that!!! You are so totally right about it all..

[ActaNonVerbaNow]

03:26 PM on 02/21/2012

Thanks.

[GWBear]

06:11 PM on 02/20/2012

I understand the violation of position of trust, but.... 17 is 17.... Under any other condition, this would be legal. I have a pretty low tolerance for this stuff, yet I cannot see the 17 year old as a victim...

[karmma72]

05:18 AM on 02/20/2012

I am 60 years old, let me have sex with her and we call it even.......

[JProducer Wignz]

05:01 AM on 02/21/2012

that made me lol so hard

[karmma72]

07:57 AM on 02/21/2012

Would it be poetic justice and the world would continue spinning like nothing ever happened.

[Boulder Eyes]

10:04 PM on 02/19/2012

Our laws are insane and there is nothing I can do about it. I hate that.

[chazrayb]

09:40 PM on 02/19/2012

I'm going to say this and see how many of YOU protest. Teachers having sex with students, male/female or female/male what is the big deal? The students are more than likely having sex anyway, not virgins and not skipping to school. So long as no sex for grades, no babies, does not disturb or interfere with the family life of either person, the adult isn't married, student isn't exploited or pimped out per sa, what is the true harm? OK lets hear all legit answers....

[Dede Eagleburger]

09:41 AM on 02/20/2012

okay, as a high school teacher myself, I just don't see how this can happen and not have any kind of consequences...it's really about the fact that we are in authority and being held to a higher standard and parents knowing that they are sending their kids to school to learn and nothing else...
someone else posted 'well better that he does it with a teacher than with my daughter', which is just crazy, because, well, it just is!!

[CunningStunts]

01:04 PM on 02/20/2012

Ayone who has a teenage daughter would agree with that other poster. Better that one of you get knocked up than their daughter.

[LexiLyles]

09:41 AM on 02/20/2012

So it's okay if your school is over run by students and teachers have sex and babies. School is for learning, okay. I don't send my daughter to school to sleep with her teachers, she's there to learn. It's inappropriate on so many levels, especially because the teacher has authority over the student. You say, "So long as no sex for grades, no babies, does not disturb or interfere with the family life of either person, the adult isn't married, student isn't exploited or pimped out per sa, what is the true harm?" and their age, not a child they teach.

[Dede Eagleburger]

10:05 AM on 02/20/2012

perfectly said...!! What she did was 100% wrong...my issue is with it being made into another national news story like every other case like this lately...

[Dr OShea]

09:18 PM on 02/19/2012

Really? She is 25 and he is 17 and that's a CRIME??? wtf!!! Really I don't see anything wrong here, in light of the fact they both wanted the relationship. Keep the state out of our bedrooms and private lives. Much ado about nothing. It would be entirely different if it was a forced relationship or some kind of blackmail etc. Leave alone and spend the tax payers good money on locking up real criminals. Hey...........there's an idea!

[SoylentGreenIsPeople]

05:28 PM on 02/19/2012

In my area they railroaded a male gym teacher out of town for dating a former student then a college sophomore. The parents felt he would groom their daughters for the future. Their words not mine.

[MasterJ2KoolBamalam]

02:54 PM on 02/19/2012

Typical double standard... If the genders were reversed the teacher would be evil and the student would be a victim. Seems very few people here believe women should be treated equally.

[William A]

12:52 AM on 02/20/2012

I actually don't think so. The US has some of the very strictest consensual sex laws in the world, and the highest age of consent.

This boy was not manipulated or "assaulted" as the charge claims. He was 17, and more than willing. Clearly there's a gap in the law here. The prosecutors in most other western countries would practice discretion.

[MayberryClark]

02:13 PM on 02/19/2012

Why are they always gym teachers? Maybe kids should teach themselves gym.