A Louisiana teacher is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student, exchanging explicit messages with the victim and even fondling him in her car in the presence of her infant child.
On December 15, 2023, deputies of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office were contacted by the West Monroe Police Department about a student who claimed to be in an inappropriate relationship with a teacher.
Authorities contacted the father of the 15-year-old student, and the student's father advised investigators that his son told him that the relationship was ongoing for a year and a half.
Teacher Told the Student She Wanted to Have Sex with Him, Told Him to Sneak Through the Window of Her Bedroom
According to court documents obtained by KTVE, authorities were advised that the victim showed his father an Instagram message thread that supported the victim's claims. Officials confirmed that the teacher in the thread was 32-year-old Tatum Hatch - a teacher at West Monroe High School.
Authorities then met with the victim and viewed his cell phone, observing an Instagram message thread that was screen-recorded on the phone. In the messages, Hatch allegedly told the victim that she wanted the two to have sexual intercourse and advised the victim to come through the window of her bedroom.
Also, investigators found messages from Hatch asking the victim about their future sexual encounter. The victim mentioned that he was scared and Hatch mentioned that she was scared too; however, Hatch allegedly was worried that the victim would find someone else to be his "first."
Hatch Sent the Student Nude Selfies, Touched His Genitals While Her Infant Child was in the Car
Authorities found other conversations between the victim and Hatch over a several-month span. One of the conversations took place at an after-hours school function. During that conversation, Hatch allegedly tried to get the victim to sit with her.
Later in the investigation, authorities learned that Hatch allegedly sent nude selfies to the victim in "Vanish Mode." A year before the investigation, Hatch allegedly came to the victim's home. Once the victim entered Hatch's vehicle, she allegedly touched his genital area while her infant child was in the car.
Hatch Also Gave the Victim Money Because of a Rumor She Heard About Him
Hatch was interviewed by investigators on December 16, 2023, and she allegedly admitted to talking to the victim through Instagram messenger. According to court documents, Hatch was worried that if she admitted to certain questions about what she sent to the victim, she would lose her children and chose not to answer those questions.
Authorities also learned that Hatch allegedly gave the victim between $500 to $600 because she was afraid of a rumor that she heard about the victim. Investigators obtained search warrants for the Instagram messages and authorities located a nude photo of Hatch.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Hatch and she was arrested on January 3, 2024, and charged with Computer-aided Solicitation of a Minor. She was released from the Ouachita Correctional Center on January 4, 2024, after posting a $10,000 bond.
On January 4, 2024, the Ouachita Parish School Board confirmed that Hatch resigned on December 26, 2023, after being placed on administrative leave on December 15, 2023. Hatch is scheduled to appear in the 4th Judicial District Court on Friday, January 5, 2024.
