On January 3, 2024, 32-year-old Tatum Hatch, who was a teacher at West Monroe High School, was arrested after being accused of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old student.
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On December 15, 2023, the West Monroe Police Department notified Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office deputies of the alleged misconduct, KTVE reported. The 15-year-old's father told authorities that the relationship lasted a year and a half, according to his son. The father also reportedly showed a thread on Instagram supporting the victim's claims.
After her arrest, Tatum Hatch was charged with computer-assisted solicitation of a minor. On January 4, 2024, she was released from the Ouachita Correctional Center after posting $10,000 bail.
Tatum Hatch allegedly took advantage of the victim in the presence of her infant son
The Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office interviewed the 15-year-old victim, KNOE-TV reported. During the interview, he reportedly showed them sexually explicit Instagram messages between himself and Hatch that were screen-recorded.
According to a KNOE-TV report, the messages revealed Tatum asking the victim to visit her through her bedroom window, along with other explicit messages. The conversation also included the victim telling the defendant that he felt afraid, and she allegedly responded that she was afraid the victim would find someone else.
KTVE reported that authorities found one of the conversations that took place at an after-hours school function, where Hatch reportedly tried to convince the victim to sit with her. A year before the investigation, the former also visited the victim's home.
According to a KTVE report, in one case, the victim got into Tatum's car, where she allegedly touched his genital area and her infant child was inside.
The victim told authorities that Tatum Hatch also sent him nude photos, the KNOE-TV report said. However, all the photos were sent via Vanish Mode on Instagram, which means they are no longer available. Authorities issued search warrants to Instagram which helped recover some of the messages and verify they were sent from Tatum's account. After the forensic download was completed, an explicit photo of her was also recovered from the victim's device.
Tatum Hatch reportedly admitted to speaking with the victim via Instagram
On December 16, 2023, authorities interviewed Tatum Hatch, and she reportedly admitted to speaking with the victim via Instagram Messenger, KTVE reported. She also allegedly stated that she was worried about admitting to some of the questions during the interview, as it could result in her losing her children. So I decided not to answer these questions.
According to arrest records, Hatch also admitted to giving the victim $500 to $600 over the past year because she was afraid after hearing a rumor about him, KNOE-TV reported.
According to a KTVE report, on December 15, 2023, Tatum Hatch was placed on administrative leave, and later resigned on December 26, 2023. She is scheduled to appear before the Fourth Judicial District Court on January 5, 2024.
