Dickinson ISD Educator Arrested Over Alleged Improper Relationship With 16-Year-Old Student
GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – A Dickinson ISD educator has been arrested after investigators alleged she had an improper relationship with a 16-year-old student while working at the Galveston County Juvenile Justice Center during the summer.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office identified the educator as Kristi Hanks, 46, of La Marque.
Hanks was taken into custody Aug. 19 after an arrest warrant was issued charging her with Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student. The Galveston County District Attorney’s Office recommended that her bond be set at $100,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigation Began After Juvenile Justice Center Raised Concerns
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit began investigating in early August after receiving a report from the Juvenile Justice Center concerning a teacher’s relationship with a student.
The investigation was conducted in coordination with the Galveston County Juvenile Justice Center and the Office of Inspector General.
According to the sheriff’s office, Hanks is an educator employed by Dickinson ISD who was working at the Juvenile Justice Center during the summer. She had been assigned to provide educational instruction to juvenile students at the facility.
Investigators said the case involved a 16-year-old student.
As the investigation progressed, detectives collected what the sheriff’s office described as material evidence, conducted interviews with multiple people and obtained admissions from Hanks.
Authorities allege the investigation showed that Hanks maintained frequent contact with the student outside an academic setting and engaged in an improper relationship.
The sheriff’s office did not disclose additional details about the alleged relationship or the nature of the admissions investigators say Hanks made.
Hanks Arrested Near Her La Marque Home
Investigators presented the case to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, which determined there was probable cause to pursue the educator-student relationship charge.
An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Members of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit subsequently located Hanks during a traffic stop near her residence and took her into custody. The department’s Crime Reduction Unit assisted with the arrest.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation involved collaboration among multiple agencies and reiterated its commitment to protecting juveniles.
