Former Elkhart teacher charged with child seduction

Tools

By Beth Boehne

MISHAWAKA — Prosecutors filed charges Tuesday against a former teacher who is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.

Dennis Jay, 36, was charged with three counts of child seduction. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Jay taught world history and coached varsity boys’ soccer at Elkhart Memorial High School before taking a position at Elkhart Central High School.

After receiving complaints about the relationship, the Elkhart Community School Board put him on administrative leave in September, then fired him after he continued to text message the girl.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Jay had sex with the girl, a student of his last year, at least three times between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31. The affidavit said another teacher living in the apartment below Jay complained about sex noises coming from Jay's apartment and the management at the apartment complex sent Jay notices about the noise.

The other teacher called police and told them he suspected Jay was having sex with a student because her car had a student parking sticker and a student identification card hanging from the rearview mirror. Police told him to call if he saw her again.

The teacher called and when police arrived they saw the girl coming out of Jay's bedroom and she appeared to be tucking in her shirt, the affidavit said.

The girl said she loved Jay and initially denied having sex with him. But when confronted with text messages about the sexual relationship, she admitted they had sex "three or four times," the affidavit said.

Jay faces six months to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 on each count if convicted.

Tuesday, Nov 25 at 5:55 PM MALLORY LIPPS wrote ...

I think this whole thing is rediculous. I did not write the comment below. I think the student is nice girl who got caught up in a bad situation which we can all relate to. I think the tragedy going on is that no one ine elkhart has a life so the only form of excitement is talking about other people and getting so wrapped in the drama and lies of an event that has nothing to do with them. Also, whoever was impersonating me stop it.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 1:28 PM mallory lipps wrote ...

To i know them both, Everything you have said i agree with. yes, jail is a bit extreme for a consensual relationship. students at central understand how this could be a problem with her because she would seduct older and younger students, it was just a matter of time before she got to the teachers. jay just ruined his entire life to have sex with someone everyone already has had sex with.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 2:54 AM SadSadSad wrote ...

Nice headline, "Child Seduction" sounds like she's 10...I think there is a BIG difference in 17yo consensual student vs elementary student that was coerced. To Wonderful Mom-wake up, not all teachers are bad or use drugs-don't let the few spoiled apples ruin the whole bunch. Your world will crumble if 1 bad apple spoils everything.....By the way, where have her parents been?

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 9:44 PM blazer1 wrote ...

i know dennis hes a great person and a caring teacher. i believe the problem lies with the school not the courts if the legal age is 16 in indiana then ethically what is the problem?

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 8:15 PM Quagmire wrote ...

I heard a rap song say that this is a good thing. It was playing over the P.A. The whole auditorium could hear it, but everyone pretended like it was just back ground noise, just another song on the radio. So, you all approve, so I approve. Good on him for scoring with a nubile 17 year old. Most of you wouldn't say "no". Admit it.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 7:43 PM Thatguy wrote ...

Nowadays, sexually aggressive girls ARE going after male teachers. I am a male teacher & have students come on to me. Haven't had one worth my marriage & job yet, though.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 5:23 PM MomOfATeen wrote ...

Do schools have written guidelines for the use of technology? Years ago, parents could keep better check on their childrens' activities. If a teacher called the home phone too often, what parent wouldn't question the teacher and the student about it? Text messaging, internet, and email have made access to our children easier for anyone--even those charged with authoritarian roles over children that can be abused. Solid guidelines need to be enacted and shared with teachers, students, and parents

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 5:18 PM Amanda Stoddard wrote ...

first off im writing to "wonderful mother" i am a student at Central and not all of the teachers that work in the elkhart community school system are bad. I have had NUMEROUS teachers care and help me through hard times in my life. And I think that age shouldnt matter, but jay knew the rules of student-teacher relationships, and thats why he should be getting in trouble. But at the same time, shes just as much to blame she knew it was wrong.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 5:06 PM I know them both wrote ...

I know them both. She is a very aggressive, sexually active young lady and he showed extremely poor judgement. I feel that he should lose his teaching license, but think that jail is a bit extreme for a consensual relationship.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 4:40 PM Mem Elkhart wrote ...

Admin really needs to think twice before hiring... are they for real? druddies, sexers, what's next? start hiring quality people and you'll get quality teachers. that's what they used to do. Anymore these younger teachers are just about as freaky as they get!Some teachers brag around the others and then everyone laughs and then when they get caught... oh they never seen that coming!!!! yeah right!!!

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 3:58 PM Home School wrote ...

My cousin who was 7 at the time had sex with his teacher and he or the teacher didnt get into any trouble. Oh yeah I almost forgot to mention he was home schooled.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 3:50 PM Scott wrote ...

Did you guys see him on the Sally Jesse Raphael show? He was on for getting his fraternity kicked off IU campus when he almost died from binge drinking. This was in 1992.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 3:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

wow. some of you are speaking as if this wasn't consentual. that's really sad. Jay was a cool teacher and is a good guy. we all make mistakes, but only some of us get caught. those of you who are passing judgement should think twice. you don't know him or her.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 2:35 PM jason wrote ...

what is it with our area having so many peeds teaching kids?

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 12:39 PM Rob wrote ...

Wow!! I think I would rather take my chances with Elkhart Schools then wherever "Wonderful Mother" was taught! Apparently, Ignorance and stupidity were the only things she learned. Sadly it seems she will be passing those learned traits on to her kids now.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 12:21 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I know Dennis - nice guy but never really wanted to grow up. Here is another example. He deserves to see the consequences of his actions. Unfortunately, the girl will get grounded at best.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 12:04 PM Barb wrote ...

I don't think there is anything wrong with what he did. She probably wanted it and got it.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 11:31 AM Anonymous wrote ...

DJ is an idiot for not waiting another year if he really cares about her. And as for famale teachers "seducing" male students... Have you seen HS teachers nowadays? They come straight out of college and a good majority of them are hot as hell!!! If a HS kid with acne can seduce a hot older woman - I say go for it!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 11:07 AM realist wrote ...

A 17 yr. old girl and a 37 yr. old guy? Not a big deal. Some 17 yr. olds are pretty worldly. Violating the teacher-student relationship? That's different. Teach was using one of his body parts, and it wasn't his brain. I don't think teach is a perve--sounds like your basic hot-in-the-pants 37 yr. old guy. Also, sounds like he may not actually be "the greatest teacher in the world" based on the spelling and syntax of Adam's contribution.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 10:36 AM Philanthropist wrote ...

Dennis Jay HOW DARE YOU! you have shaken the trust parents place in their children's teacher's everywhere. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR YOUR JOB--- YOU WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS STUDENT! you are unethical and preverse. Three counts of seducation! You will always be a registered sex offender now! I hope it was worth it! Thank you to the neighbor who reported this crime. We need more people like you to keep our community safe.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 10:16 AM marian wrote ...

Where is a picture of the guy?

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 9:57 AM bee wrote ...

it doesnt matter if she was 17 or 18.hes in a position of authority as a school teacher.teachers arent allowed to have relationships with their students.school policy.even in college this is not supposed to happen.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 9:42 AM adam irons wrote ...

i am one of jays students and a good friend to jay and i honestly believe its a crock of crape that these accusations and consperacece have been placed the greatest teacher in the world

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 9:25 AM Thatguy wrote ...

I'm a friend of Dennis. I make no excuses for what he did, and if guilty, he should go straight to jail. But, this neighbor who turned him in...Dennis had heard him abusing his wife through the floor, so he's not a saint either. Where's THAT police investigation?

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 9:08 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Sex Noises?

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 8:23 AM not a shock at all wrote ...

wow gee lol NOT a shock like the racist teacher at west side,it will all be swept away like everything else,schools today are about a paycheck.sad but all too true.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 8:14 AM Sad wrote ...

Neither are innocent and both should be held accountable. She's 17, not 11, she knows well enough the rules and regulations. She knows about sex. She knows what she's doing. If it wasn't a teacher, it'd just be another student. Yea, he should be held accountable too,and the backside of cell bars might do him some good. As for the Elkhart schools comment...give me a break. Same thing just happened at PHM. It happens everywhere. I really hope you aren't teaching your kids to be so oblivious.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 7:09 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Girls deserve the same as the man, 17? she isn't any better!!

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 5:16 AM Elkhart Teacher wrote ...

Wonderful Mother, you must be a GREAT parent...believing that ALL Elkhart teachers behave this way should sure teach your kids great lessons about stereotyping.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 5:05 AM Barb wrote ...

Wonderful Mother I understand that you want to protect your daughter, but to put all teachers in the same category with this teacher who had a problem is wrong. I have taught for a long time and never once have I thought of doing that to a child. Not everyone is the same and I didn't like that comment about teachers being predators and drug addicts. There is good and bad in all walks of life. Please don't say All teachers are predators and drug adddicts because I know alot of great teachers

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 4:47 AM Me wrote ...

To WONDERFUL MOTHER-yeh, like this kind of thing only happens in Elkhart schools and could never happen wherever you're sending your daughter. Get real.

Wednesday, Nov 19 at 4:42 AM Anonymous wrote ...

but it's completely okay for female teachers to have affairs with students???

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 11:25 PM WONDERFUL MOTHER wrote ...

AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHY MY DAUGHTER WILL NOT BE GOING TO ELKHART SCHOOLS.. TEACHERS ARE CHILD PREDATORS AND DRUG ADDICTS..

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 11:10 PM old soccer player wrote ...

i always knew he was a dumber than a box of rock...anyone know what jail he is going to be in...would love to see my old soccer coach!!!

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 10:00 PM Anonymous wrote ...

It's not the first time now the last. He's a perv and obviously she's not perfect. Both need a good slappin. They both knew what they were doing was wrong. I have mixed feelings on cases like this. Girls are not proper now, they all sleep around and try to act like they are 36. It's sad but true.

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 9:28 PM Dillweed wrote ...

There's a love filled lonely woman out there for every lonely man.... Leave the girls alone, be a man not a boy!!!!

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 9:13 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Jay faces 6 months to 3 years in prison. Maybe if Jay KNEW he would be sentenced to 20 years for what he has done MAYBE jay would have thought twice, or tried harder not to get caught. But he would have gotten caught eventually because there is something about adults who become involved with adolescents that make them think like their prey. HE CONTINUED TO TEXT HER! Has he NOT picked up a newspaper or watched a report in the last 6 months! So what makes him think he'll get by. He's simply stupid

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 8:44 PM confused wrote ...

Who is this other teacher involved? Did the reporter mean to write "neighbor?"

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 7:31 PM Blutnick wrote ...

These middle aged pathetic pervs posing as educators are starting to make me angry.

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 7:20 PM Mandi wrote ...

What about the girl?? What kind of consequences will she have? If she were one year older this wouldn't even be an issue. It's sad if her parents didn't teach her better than that. We need to start putting some responsibility on these kids as well as the adults.

Tuesday, Nov 18 at 5:51 PM Tracy wrote ...

This makes me sick! Someone needs to put that sick pervert in jail and toss out the key! Wow, and people don't think things are getting worse? We can only thank the trash on TV and the crap on the internet. Sex sells... it also DESTROYS, and the sad thing is it hurts the kids the worse! People need to get involved like the neighbors that were smart enough to call and report it, but why wasn't something done sooner?

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

WSBT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, or remove user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum. Items that may be considered inappropriate to post are those containing profanity, hatred, or insensitive, vulgar, unlawful or threatening comments.

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 26
°
More Weather
More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Wheel of Fortune
7.30
Jeopardy!
8.00
Ghost Whisperer
9.00
Flashpoint
10.00
Numb3rs
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
Late Show with David Letterman

Question of The Day

Will 2009 be a better year for the RV industry?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

  • Yes
  • No