Parent went to police about ‘concerning behavior’
By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — A 38-year-old Claremont Middle School teacher was arrested and then fired for allegedly violating a restraining order prohibiting her from being in contact with a middle school student after a parent notified police about “concerning behavior” between her and the child.
Erin Mullen, 38, of Springfield, Vermont, was served a Stalking Temporary Order of Protection the afternoon of Feb. 5 and then arrested soon after when she was seen by a police officer with the student at the community center.
“We arrested her for violating the court order,” said Wilmot. “She was served the court order by the school resource officer at the end of the school day on Wednesday, and less than an hour later, a police officer found her in contact with one of the protected parties.”
Police then notified the Claremont School District, and she was immediately fired.
“The court order was given to her at the school, and then shortly after they arrested her when she was at the community center with the student,” SAU 6 Superintendent Chris Pratt said. “They let me know and we took care of things on our end.”
While Pratt said there has not been an investigation into Mullen, Claremont Police Chief Brent Wilmot said she has been on the police department’s radar for her unusual behavior between herself and the student.
The police received information from a parent about the behavior involving Mullen, so this has been within the scope of her investigation.
“We began looking into that,” Wilmot said.
Wilmot would not comment on what this behavior entailed and denied comment on whether there was a suspected sexual relationship between Mullen and the student. Wilmot explained that there has been an “open investigation” into Mullen for “some time.” He would not divulge the age and gender of the student, but did refer to the student as “he.”
Superintendent Pratt put out a letter to the school community to inform them of what he called “a serious matter regarding the immediate termination of a middle school teacher within our district.” He did not release the name of the teacher or the nature of the incident, and instead referred to the police department.
“City officials informed me upon the arrest and the teacher was immediately placed on unpaid administrative leave, and terminated from employment soon after,” Pratt said. “This decision was made in response to the teacher violating a court order to stay away from a middle school student. In addition, I will be submitting the teacher’s name to the state to have the teaching license revoked for the state of New Hampshire.”
Pratt wrote that the safety and well-being of students is the highest priority, and that they take the matter very seriously.
“I assure you that this behavior will not be tolerated in our schools,” Pratt wrote. “We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff, and we will take all necessary actions to uphold this standard.”
He wrote that he understands that the news may raise concerns and ensured that they are working closely with law enforcement for a thorough investigation.
Wilmot said the matter remains under investigation, and he is hopeful that police can hear from people who have additional information they want to share.
“Investigators will take all the information they can get and run it into the ground,” he said.
The arraignment was electronic through the Claremont District Court on Feb. 6. She was incarcerated at the Sullivan County House of Corrections where she was held in lieu of bail but has since been released.
Mullen has a case status hearing scheduled for Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.
