Christopher James Hooker (Modesto Police Department) |
MODESTO, Calif. -- An 18-year-old Modesto student has moved back in with her 41-year-old former teacher, about a week after she left him following his arrest on a sex charge involving a different student.
In February, James Hooker resigned from his teaching job, left his wife and three daughters and moved in with Jordan Powers, who was a student at Enochs High School.
The couple met when Powers was a freshman, but they say the relationship didn't develop until after she turned 18.
Detectives initially began investigating Hooker after Powers' mother reported to authorities that Hooker was romantically involved with her daughter.
Authorities say they believe the relationship began before powers was an adult. The investigation is ongoing.
It seemed the couple finished after Hooker's arrest on April 6 by Modesto police for alleged sex abuse of a minor.
Investigators say Hooker was in a romantic relationship with a different girl when she was 17.
Hooker is believed to have developed the relationship with the girl in 1998, when he was a teacher at Davis High School in Modesto.
He has pleaded not guilty to one count of oral copulation with a minor.
Powers called her mother after Hooker's arrest, and Tammie Powers helped her pack her bags.
"She requested the distance. She asked to fly to Ohio. He's just not going to let her go," Tammie Powers told the Modesto Bee.
She also said that, once her daughter left the state, Hooker began calling her constantly.
She acknowledged that Jordan began talking with Hooker daily.
Now, it appears that the teen has moved back in with Hooker.
Neighbors at Hooker's studio apartment in Modesto reported seeing the couple together last weekend, the Bee reported.
And on Tuesday, Powers answered the knock of a Sacramento TV reporter and confirmed they were back together.
News of the couple's reunion came the same day that a bill that would have outlawed teacher-student relationships was defeated in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
Hooker remains free on $50,000 bail. He is due in court on May 15.
In February, James Hooker resigned from his teaching job, left his wife and three daughters and moved in with Jordan Powers, who was a student at Enochs High School.
The couple met when Powers was a freshman, but they say the relationship didn't develop until after she turned 18.
Detectives initially began investigating Hooker after Powers' mother reported to authorities that Hooker was romantically involved with her daughter.
Authorities say they believe the relationship began before powers was an adult. The investigation is ongoing.
It seemed the couple finished after Hooker's arrest on April 6 by Modesto police for alleged sex abuse of a minor.
Investigators say Hooker was in a romantic relationship with a different girl when she was 17.
Hooker is believed to have developed the relationship with the girl in 1998, when he was a teacher at Davis High School in Modesto.
He has pleaded not guilty to one count of oral copulation with a minor.
Powers called her mother after Hooker's arrest, and Tammie Powers helped her pack her bags.
"She requested the distance. She asked to fly to Ohio. He's just not going to let her go," Tammie Powers told the Modesto Bee.
She also said that, once her daughter left the state, Hooker began calling her constantly.
She acknowledged that Jordan began talking with Hooker daily.
Now, it appears that the teen has moved back in with Hooker.
Neighbors at Hooker's studio apartment in Modesto reported seeing the couple together last weekend, the Bee reported.
And on Tuesday, Powers answered the knock of a Sacramento TV reporter and confirmed they were back together.
News of the couple's reunion came the same day that a bill that would have outlawed teacher-student relationships was defeated in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
Hooker remains free on $50,000 bail. He is due in court on May 15.
