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Teacher Faces Sex Charges

By Jessica Taloney

Published: Tue, July 24, 2007 - 8:07 am Last Updated: Mon, November 26, 2007 - 7:34 pm

With her attorney on one side and husband on the other, a middle school English teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year old student left the courtroom after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing.

Last week, Charlene Schmitz, 54, was placed on paid administrative leave from Leroy Middle School. Schmitz was arrested June 22 after the alleged victim's mother gave police dozens of sexually explicit e-mails she claims Schmitz sent her son.

A judge issued a gag order on the case, forbidding those involved to discuss it. But, News 5 caught up with one of about a half dozen of Schmitz's supporters as they were leaving the courtroom.

"Don't try a case outside the court," said a supporter, who identified himself as someone who attends church with Schmitz. It's for a judge and jury to decide, he said.

Schmitz also has support from some of her co-workers. Teachers we caught up with at the school would talk to News 5 on camera, but several said off camera they do not believe the accusations.

At least one former student says she doesn't know what to believe. "You would expect it but you wouldn't because we're a small school," says Whitney Lang, who graduated from Leroy High School in 2007.

Washington County's school superintendent says Schmitz has worked in elementary and middle schools in his district since 2000.