CW: Sexual abuse

In 2016, Bridgette Doucette-Howell was one of 8 finalists for Teacher of the Year in New Hampshire. Now, just six years later Doucette-Howell faces prison over charges of sexually assaulting one of her students.

She had sex with an 18-year-old student on two occasions in April and May at Sanborn Regional in Kingston, and once in Exeter while she was an employee, contractor, or volunteer, according to the indictment.

On a third occasion in May, she kissed the student at the school.

Doucette-Howell was indicted on charges of felonious sexual assault and three aggravated counts of felonious sexual assault, according to the indictment.

What makes this case even more noteworthy is that it will be the first to be prosecuted under the new "Howie Leung loophole” relating to such cases. Until last year, it was not against the law for educators to have relationships with students 18 or older. The statute was amended with the addition of the sentence: "When the actor is an employee, contractor, or volunteer at a primary or secondary educational institution and the victim is a student and up to 10 months after the student's graduation or departure."

Rockingham County Attorney Patricia Conway said if there is a conviction, the maximum sentence for each aggravated felonious sexual assault offense is 10 to 20 years in prison. The felonious sexual assault penalty carries a 3 ½ to 7-year sentence, according to the indictment.

Superintendent Thomas Ambrose told WMUR that Doucette-Howell was working an an extracurricular activity drama coach at the time. The state Department of Education told WMUR that her license to teach has been suspended.

Just last year, she directed a concert version of the musical “Bright Star” according to her Twitter page.

Kurt Olson, one of Doucette-Howell’s attorneys, declined to comment to local news on details of the case, except to say his client “continues to maintain her innocence of all charges.”

NH theatre teacher charged with sexually assaulting a student

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