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A 30-year-old Terrebonne Parish substitute teacher was arrested Wednesday after allegations surfaced of on-going sexual relations with three teens at her home over a period of several months, according to Houma City Police.
Heidi Verret was booked into the Terrebonne Parish jail on three counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, and one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile, said Lt. Travis Theriot, an HPD spokesman.
Theriot said officers received a complaint that Verret was engaged in “inappropriate” conversation through social media with a 12-year-old child. Detectives investigating that allegation developed information that led them to the allegation that sexual activities had been taking place between Verret and three boys, ages 15 and 16, whose acquaintance with her related to her job.
None of the crimes was alleged to have occurred on school property.
Terrebonne Parish School District offices were closed Thursday morning for the Christmas holiday and further information on Verret’s employment as a substitute could not be determined.
School Board member Greg Harding was informed Thursday morning of the arrest, but said he was not familiar with Verret.
“A 30-year-old woman involved with these kids, it can mess them up, it really can,” Harding said. “I am not an expert on the psychology side of it but I know it can affect their lives dramatically, and she has to be held to a higher standard.”
Harding said substitute teachers receive background screenings, and that they are not usually assigned to one particular school, but are on lists for several.
Harding praised the parents of the 12-year-old for being vigilant and notifying police that they suspected something was wrong.
Detectives said the parents of the boys who are alleged victims have been cooperative with the investigation. As of Thursday morning Verret was being held at the parish jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
A woman who said she is related to Verret was contacted by The Times, but said nobody in the family wished to discuss her situation, after confirming that Heidi Verret was a substitute teacher and hat they were aware of the arrest.
“We all spoke and nobody is interested,” said the woman, who did not identify herself.
