A former teacher and softball coach at Lake Dallas High School is the latest educator to be arrested and accused of having an improper relationship with a student.
Corinth police said Monday afternoon they arrested 59-year-old Dugan Walker and charged him with improper relationship between an educator and a student.
"The arrest stemmed from allegations made by a student at the Lake Dallas High School where Walker previously worked as a teacher and softball coach," the Corinth police said in a statement published to Facebook Monday.
Corinth police arrested Walker at the Lake Dallas ISD administration building Monday, according to Lt. J. Gregg of the Corinth Police Department. Walker was not aware that his arrest was imminent when he came to the building, Gregg said.
An image of the former coach in handcuffs is not one that matches the description given Monday by a woman who called the man her daughter's "mentor."
"We're crazy about him. He was a great coach," said Chelsea Christian, the mother of a Lake Dallas High School sophomore softball player. "We were shocked. My daughter is shocked. All the kids are shocked."
Monday's arrest is the latest in a string of accusations against educators in North Texas. Last week, four employees of area school districts were arrested and now face similar charges.
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Anyone with information about the incident in Lake Dallas is asked to contact Investigator M. Merendon at 940-279-1505 or Lt. J. Gregg at 940-279-1510.
In a statement released Monday, Lake Dallas ISD Superintendent Gayle Stinson said:
"Protecting the welfare of all students and providing a safe, secure learning environment is the first and foremost priority of Lake Dallas ISD.
On Monday, August 24, Corinth Police Department notified Lake Dallas ISD that former Lake Dallas High School coach, Dugan Walker, was arrested for improper relationship between an educator and a student.
Concerns were brought to the attention of Lake Dallas ISD administrators on August 6, regarding potentially inappropriate communications and/or conduct between the teacher and a student of Lake Dallas High School. Consistent with district policies and procedures, the district immediately notified the Corinth Police Department and placed the employee on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Coach Walker has since resigned his position with the district.
Lake Dallas ISD takes all reports of alleged misconduct seriously and is cooperating fully with the Corinth Police Department as they continue to investigate this matter. As this is an ongoing investigation that involves confidential student and personnel matters, LDISD cannot provide further information."
NBC 5's Ben Russell contributed to this report.
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