It's been a tearful day on the campus of Clear Creek High School as many students heard for the first time their football coach and track coach, Chad Hunt, died in an apparent suicide.
Hunt, 40, was suspected of an improper relationship between an educator and a student. Police say the parents of the teenage girl initiated contact with authorities after suspecting an inappropriate relationship.
Those allegations, say authorities, were made Sunday. By Tuesday, Hunt was placed on administrative leave at Clear Creek High School and was interviewed by League City Police detectives. At the time, police authorities say Hunt did not appear to be emotionally unstable.
Early Wednesday, Hunt's body was found inside his Jeep parked off of FM 2403 in Brazoria County. Authorities say he appeared to have committed suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot.
Neighbors were shocked by Hunt's death.
"My only thought last night was why he didn't come to me? I always told him knock on my door," said neighbor Lissie Quinones. "Why he didn't talk to me or a friend in this community?"
Counselors are available at Clear Creek High School to help students cope with Hunt's death.
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Texas penal code 21.12. IMPROPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATOR AND
STUDENT
(a) An employee of a public or private primary or secondary school commits an offense if the employee engages in:v
(1) sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is enrolled in a public or private primary or secondary school at which the employee works; or
(2) conduct described by Section 33.021, with a person described by Subdivision (1), regardless of the age of that person.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree.
(b-1) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor was the spouse of the enrolled person at the time of the offense.
(c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the actor may be prosecuted under either section or both sections.
Penal code section 21.12, Written and passed in 2003, went into effect 9/1/2003. Author: Rep. Helen Giddings, Senate Sponsor Jane Nelson.
