HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - A former Atascocita High School assistant girls' basketball coach has been charged with improper relationship with a student.
James Welch, 38, has also been charged with sexual assault of a child.
Court documents say, when the student's parents found out Welch was sending their daughter inappropriate text messages they immediately alerted the associate principal. The student initially told the associate principal that her and the coach kissed but denied any another sexual activity.
The next day, the student admitted she and Welch met up at a Walmart on May 28 and he kissed her and put his hands down her pants. She said Welch went inside the store to buy dog food. When he came out, she got in his car, and he told her to sit on his lap.
Officers went to the Walmart on Timber Forest and Will Clayton Parkway to verify the student's claims, and they found video of Welch walking inside the store and leaving.
Humble ISD said Welch resigned from Atascocita High School on May 30 when he was questioned about the allegation.
They released the following statement:
The district received information about the allegation on May 30, 2018, and took immediate action by launching a personnel and a police investigation. Welch resigned on May 30, 2018, when questioned about the allegation. Police continued to gather evidence and presented it to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Welch was employed by Humble ISD from August 12, 2016, until his resignation on May 30, 2018. He was a world geography teacher and an assistant coach for girls’ basketball. He was not employed by the district this school year.
Humble ISD took the additional step of informing the State Board of Educator Certification of the investigation. Humble ISD has zero-tolerance for inappropriate staff-student relationships. The district cooperates with law enforcement for the safety and welfare of everyone. Unacceptable behavior will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
