Parents talk about teacher's rape case

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Parents met with Jimmy Carter Middle School officials Friday evening to discuss the fallout from recent allegations that a 33-year-old social studies teacher had sex with her 13-year-old student.

While officials would not discuss the rape case against Kristy Sanchez-Trujillo, they did talk with parents about the impact of the incident on all of the other children.

"My daughter was saying something about changes happening today, things coming off the walls and things like that and that was a little difficult for her," one concerned parent said.

Parents say their children are sill reeling after learning of rape charges filed against Sanchez-Trujillo.

The seventh grade social studies teacher went to the Petroglyph National Monument two times to have sex with a young student in the back seat of her Ford Explorer, according to the criminal complaint.

Friday, Sanchez-Trujillo stood before an Albuquerque Metropolitan Court Judge and agreed not to go back to the school or see the victim again.

Later in the evening on campus one parent said she's shocked, but more concerned for her seventh grade son, who's not the victim, but is still being teased.

"An eighth grader was like who got the lucky shot, what other teachers can we get? That kind of thing," Stephanie Imbro said. “'That was a lucky boy,' that is what my son said. 'Are you the 7th grader that got lucky?' That kind of stuff just doesn't fly with me.”

Administrators tried to assure the crowd they're doing what they can to hold down hall gossip.

Some parents also questioned whether the school missed red flags.

“In her classroom she stated that she stated that she left her cell phone for her students to reach her after hours. That struck me as a red flag, so what is your policy on that," one parent said.

“That person has been the only individual who gave me a personal e-mail," another parent said.

Administrators said no concerns were ever brought to them.

Sanchez-Trujillo also had no previous criminal record.

Administrators said they're working to help kids and parents maintain trust in their instructors.

“This is an anomaly and our teachers are our confidence and our kids' confidence and they are the first person on the line that those kids will go to," Associate Superintendent of Middle Schools Ruby Ethridge said.

Parents say they just want to move on.

“Move forward and work with my son and let's get back to social studies," Imbro said.

Administrators said they will take parents' concerns back to Superintendent Winston Brooks who was out of town at the time.

Sanchez-Trujillo is free on bond.

Many people have asked about the responsibility the victim's parents have since the teen reportedly stayed out with Sanchez-Trujillo until 5:00 a.m. Albuquerque Police said the parents are not at fault and they have found no form of neglect.