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Jordan Powers, 18, eloping with her 41-year old high school teacher James Hooker, made headlines when the couple appeared on nationally televised shows to defend their relationship. The relationship, which made James Hooker abandon all his responsibilities, including his family, daughter, and job, sparked off wide controversy in social circles. Lawmakers were also worried and bills are being moved to prevent teachers from pursuing relationships with students in high school as there is a guardian-ward relationship, and teachers are in positions of trust.
The relationship ended last week with the teenager saying goodbye to her teacher-lover when Hooker was arrested over sexual relationships with another 17-year old student back in 1998.
On “Good Morning America,” Saturday, Jordan said that the relationship was over after she came to learn that James Hooker had sexually assaulted another 17-year old girl 14 years ago. “My heart dropped … I felt betrayed. I just have a gut feeling there are other girls” she said on the show.
Powers told ABC that she was told a completely different version of the event before the woman came forward and helped her to see the truth about Hooker. The torrid teacher is now cooling his heels in jail after being arrested on Friday following complaints by the former student who alleged that Hooker had sexually assaulted her in 1998.
Jordan told “Good Morning America” about the relationship with Hooker: “He called me from jail, and yes, I told him we’re done … I lost everything for this guy. I lost my senior year. I gave up all my friends at high school because they didn’t agree with me.”
Jordan’s mother, Tammy Powers, stands vindicated after taking her campaign to the California legislature with Republican Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen and introducing a bill calling for making it a felony for teachers having sexual relationships with students under their care, irrespective of age.
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Police reported that the case over which Hooker has been arrested is from an investigation of oral copulation with a minor in Davis High School, Modesto. Hooker had looked positively happy when he appeared last on Good Morning America, holding hands with Jordan and kissing on TV. It made parents across the nation feel sick and wonder about the future of their children at schools.
