Former Austin Teacher Accused of Sex With Students

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN-UT -- A former teacher at Westlake High School—located in unincorporated area west of Austin—is being investigated for alleged improper relationships with students, both counts 2nd degree felonies.

Haeli Noelle Wey, 28, was arrested by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. She’s accused of having had sexual relations with two students, communicating with both through social media.

KEYE-TV reports that Wey bonded out of jail on the same day as her arrest. Her bond had been set at $75,000 for each charge, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office said.
Eanes Independent School District officials confirmed that Wey had taught math at Westlake High until this past October.

According to court documents, the tryst with a student leading to her arrest took place during a hike in September.

Wey allegedly invited the victim to the hike, her phone texts seen by another youth. That witness then reported the incident to authorities.

An ensuing investigation revealed that Wey may have also been sexually involved with a second student over the summer.

Wey has since relinquished her teaching certificate, according to Texas Education Agency officials.

The charges come at a time of increased incidents of improper student-teacher relationships throughout Texas—including several in the immediate area.

Cedar Park High School cross country coach Timothy Sheard was arrested in October for allegedly touching three students inappropriately. And in January, Joshua Riggins, formerly a teaher at Rouse High School in Leander, was arrested for alleged sexual assault of a student who was babysitting for his family.

In Round Rock, the community was shocked to hear of the arrest of former McNeil High School coach and teacher Christopher Cotten, accused of sending lewd photos to a 16-year-old girl and allegedly touching her inappropriately. Although those charges stem from his teaching stint at McNeil High in Austin, Round Rock ISD officials later confirmed McNeil had documented incidences of past improper behavior in their own personnel files.

Meanwhile in Leander, law enforcement officials continue an investigation launched last week into a former Vandergrift High School coach accused of an improper relationship with a student. Charges have yet to be filed in that case as police investigate the allegations further.