A LEE High School teacher was arrested Thursday after school leaders said he had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student, a case that now has the educator facing a felony charge and a $40,000 bond, according to jail records.
Authorities identified the teacher as 48-year-old Christopher Wooten, who has been placed on administrative leave and is not expected to return to campus for the rest of the school year. Wooten was taken into custody Thursday and charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student, the district said. In a letter to families, LEE Principal Alex Escamilla wrote that the campus became aware of the allegations on Wednesday and "immediately began an investigation," and that the district contacted the North East ISD Police Department, the San Antonio Police Department, Child Protective Services and NEISD human resources, as reported by KSAT.
Legal implications
Under Texas law, an educator who engages in sexual contact or intercourse with a student can be prosecuted under the improper-relationship statute, which is a second-degree felony with significant penalties if there is a conviction. According to Texas Penal Code 1.12, as published on Justia, schools may report allegations and are restricted from releasing the student's name to the public. The statute also outlines narrow affirmative defenses and allows prosecutors to pursue related charges depending on the evidence.
Broader context
Allegations like this have contributed to a rise in educator-misconduct investigations across Texas in recent years. The Dallas Morning News reported that Texas Education Agency investigations and misconduct reports have increased as school districts grapple with staffing and certification challenges that can complicate oversight. Lawmakers have introduced bills in recent legislative sessions aimed at tightening reporting requirements and enforcement around educator misconduct.
What LEE families were told
Escamilla's letter said NEISD is in contact with the student's family and will assist them, and that Wooten remains on administrative leave while the investigation continues. The LEE High School campus is located at 1400 Jackson-Keller Road and lists a main phone number for parents, according to NEISD. KSAT reported the district's steps and Wooten's booking information in its coverage.
Authorities have not released additional details about the alleged conduct, and the charge remains an allegation that must be proved in court. Hoodline will monitor court filings and district updates and will publish new details as they become available.
