Ex-teacher’s aide accused of sex with teen neighbor to face trial

Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004 | 9:22 a.m.

A former teacher's aide charged with seducing her 14-year-old neighbor will stand trial, Henderson Justice of the Peace Stephen George ruled on Wednesday.

Marlene Hazel, 32, is charged with having sex with the boy in the teen's Henderson home in February while his parents were across town. Hazel was suspended from her job at Gordon McCaw Elementary School in Henderson on June 7, when Clark County School District officials learned of the charges.

Hazel is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 8 before District Judge Donald Mosley.

Deputy District Attorney Martin Hart said Hazel is charged with two counts of statutory sexual seduction for two incidents of sex that occurred within a 30- to 40-minute period. Hart said George's ruling shows "the bottom line is the law is set-up to protect juveniles because there can be ongoing repercussions from any such act."

Hazel's attorney, William Terry, had no comment on George's decision.

The victim has Tourette's Syndrome, the genetic disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics.

The boy told police he was playing video games at Hazel's house with her husband and after the husband went to bed, Hazel allegedly "jumped on him and started kissing him," the police report says. He described Hazel as "flipping out."

According to the report, at one point during Hazel's encounter with the victim the boy told her, "No, I can't do this." The report then alleges they went back to his house, where the boy agreed to have sex with Hazel.

Hazel told the boy's father about the encounter a few days later and asked him not to tell anyone, saying it would ruin her life, the report says. The boy's father then called police.

When questioned by police, Hazel denied having a sexual relationship with the boy.

Nineteen school district employees have been arrested in the past three years and charged with sex-related offenses ranging from possession of child pornography to molestation and rape.