The attorney for a former Kennebunk High School teacher charged with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old male student said of the allegations, “None of this is true.”
“These allegations arise from a high school rumor, which consisted of the fantasies of an emotionally troubled senior at Kennebunk High School,” said Scott Gardner, who is representing 29-year-old Jill Lamontagne of Kennebunk.
Lamontagne was indicted by a York County Grand Jury on six counts of gross sexual assault, two counts of unlawful sexual contact and six counts of sexual abuse of a minor. She turned herself in at the Kennebunk Police Department Wednesday after the indictment and was booked on the charges and released on $1,000 bail.
Gardner said Lamontagne “categorically denies the charges” and plans to plead not guilty when she appears in York County Superior Court in Alfred Dec. 22.
“Let these serious criminal charges against an experienced, well-respected and popular teacher serve as a warning to all professionals who work closely with teenagers — your career and personal life could be crushed by the sexual fantasies of a 17-year-old,” he said.
Lamontagne, who taught health at Kennebunk High School for five years, resigned from the position. Her resignation was accepted by the RSU 21 board of directors Sept. 18.
The allegations against Lamontagne came to light in June when a protection from abuse order granted in Biddeford District Court ordered her to have no contact with the 17-year-old student. Lamontagne was put on leave when the school district learned of the allegations in April. She returned to work with “some disciplinary measures” but was put on leave again June 12 after the district learned of the court filing, school officials said at the time.
The protection from abuse order was filed by the student’s mother on his behalf.
The court documents state Lamontagne engaged in sex acts a number of times with the student “in the classroom, in her car and at her house.” Documents state the student was admitted to Maine Medical Center in Portland June 9 for the ingestion of Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medicine and Warfarin, a blood thinner. According to documents, the student revealed to his mother and a nurse at the hospital that he loved Lamontagne and he ingested the medications to attempt suicide.
According to court documents, Lamontagne is married and has children. Lamontagne is a graduate of Kennebunk High, and her father is also employed there.
RSU 21 Superintendent Katie Hawes said the district followed all appropriate hiring processes, fingerprinting and background checks when Lamontagne was hired. “We have fully cooperated with the investigation and we will let the agencies do what they need to do,” Hawes said.
Hawes said the district has hired a long-term substitute who will take over Lamontagne’s classes for the school year. The substitute has worked at Kennebec High previously. “The students are in good hands, and it’s been a smooth transition,” she said.
It is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison for a teacher to engage in sexual contact with someone under age 18 who is in their care.