Ok, I posted earlier that he wasn't treating the daughter but I reread the complaint and he absolutely was. he did a formal evaluation of her and made educational recommendations based on that evaluation. He received other confidential reports about the girl because of his role. And the school arranged the professional relationship by circulating his name as someone available for counseling (for another reason, but it was that list that prompted the Mom to arrange the formal evaluation).

Not only that but arguably his recommendation that the girl wasn't being served because she was soooo bright was an attempt to ingratiate himself with the mom. So right there his professional responsibilities have been compromised. Add to that the fact that his patient is a young child and so having an overt sexual relationship with her mom absolutely violates the boundaries of their professional relationship.

This is not just two consenting adults. If these allegations are true, both the psychologist and the school are in serious trouble. I think I was blinded by the poor behavior of the girls' parents but stepping back, this is really bad and not just a relationship between consenting adults.

Yes, those Washingtonian comments are hard on the eyes and brain. I think it reflects the readership of the magazine. My DH always tries to buy the Top Docs issue when we're out just to see his name in it--I usually react as if he were trying to pick up a copy of "Hustler" in front of me. He buys just that one issue. That magazine is repellant.

Anonymous wrote:If that employee is in charge of counseling Sidwell students and the employee has an affair with the mother of one of the students, you don't see where the school may have some liability? Particularly if that student was being "treated" by the employee? And what if they are able to prove that the child's well being was adversely affected by this affair?

Huntington was the Middle School counselor, responsible for students in grades 5-8. He had no role at Lower School (grades PK-4) - they have their own staff, on a separate campus. It seems unlikely that he had any kind of a professional relationship with a child in a different division of the school, and in his own child's class. His actions appear to be stupid at best, sleazy at worst, but not professionally unethical.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That may be true, but it doesn't excuse the fact that the school knew that one of its employees was having an affair with the parent of one of its students, and apparently did nothing about it.

What right would my employer have to comment on my relationships?

If the "relationship" involves one your company's clients, then they can have a lot to say about your relationship.
There is really a huge buzz about this case and everyone has a strong opinion about the school, good or bad. Good luck finding an untainted juror.

Back in the 70s, in the great American midwest, one still felt free to call a spade a spade, and to judge a situation. Whatever the feelings/motivations of the parties, the un/happiness of their pre-existing relationships, or the deterioration thereof, what occurred here is a case of infidelity and adultery.

If you are in a damaged marriage then either try to work through the issues, or get out of the marriage. If you meet the "love of your life" while you are married, then either try to distance yourself from that person and stay committed to your spouse, or distance yourself from that person and obtain a divorce before you consummate your "great love". Simple as that.

Jimmy Carter famously "committed adultery in [his] heart." Who hasn't? My spouse probably has, as have I. But people need to exercise physical and emotional restraint.

Some years ago I found myself attracted to a fellow parent, showed up at activities looking good, always talked to them. When I honestly examined my emotions, I realized that this friendship was wrong. When the person offered me their cell number, I took it and threw it away. Never any walks together, no meeting for coffee during our children's activities. And when a conflict developed that ruled out our common activity in the future, I was relieved.

Though nothing improper or even questionable ever happened, there is no doubt that some emotional effects lingered.

I cannot imagine subjecting anyone that I love, respect and am committed to -- like my spouse -- to a full-blown, all-out emotional or sexual affair.

And even if my spouse were a bad actor, in any way, I cannot imagine subjecting my children, who I love so much, to such a thing.

I wish that society would get a grip and that people would behave morally, responsibly, and with common-sense.

It is my understanding that the school employee was not "treating" the daughter.

The Sidwell employee was divorced at the time; the mother was separated.

Certainly there was bad judgment here, but I agree with 13:59, the school does not have the right to tell its employees who they can, or cannot date.

As others have noted, it is clear that the marriage of the students parents was already on the rocks when she was enrolled at the school, so this is clearly a case where, while there was bad judgment, it is really a marital dispute that is now being played before a global audience.

I feel horrible for the girl.

If that employee is in charge of counseling Sidwell students and the employee has an affair with the mother of one of the students, you don't see where the school may have some liability? Particularly if that student was being "treated" by the employee? And what if they are able to prove that the child's well being was adversely affected by this affair?

Anonymous wrote:That may be true, but it doesn't excuse the fact that the school knew that one of its employees was having an affair with the parent of one of its students, and apparently did nothing about it.

What right would my employer have to comment on my relationships?

^^ I was under the assumption that the newmyers where not legally separated and that the psych and his wife were married at the time. reading the full court docs I think he might have a case. I am not a lawyer and I know I am not using the word "negligent" correctly but WTF sidwell, I am sort of outraged.

Anonymous wrote:The comments (not the article) on the Washingtonian article are getting attention on twitter...

I think it's telling that the comments on DCUM are much more restrained than those on the Washingtonian. Someone may want to alert the Washington City Paper that there are mean people on the Internet someplace besides DCUM.

That may be true, but it doesn't excuse the fact that the school knew that one of its employees was having an affair with the parent of one of its students, and apparently did nothing about it.

It would be good if people realized this was a single dad and a separated mom with children in the same class who started dating. He was a middle school teacher-- separate campus, and never treated the Pre-K daughter. The lower school has its own faculty. There was no school sponsored therapy sessions going on here. This is just an awful case of a husband whose hatred for an almost-ex wife is greater than his love for his children. It makes me so sad that she will grow up and possibly read this lawsuit. Just a real shame.

The comments (not the article) on the Washingtonian article are getting attention on twitter...

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/19428.html

There are several comments by Sidwell graduates who post their names (as opposed to anonymous jabs).

I thought the following ones compelling.

Posted by: William R. Cumming, May 12, 2011 01:27:58 PM *(Sidwell grad)

Posted by: borntobepolitical, May 12, 2011 02:05:37 PM

Posted by: WhatAboutBob, May 12, 2011 02:16:53 PM

Posted by: cis, May 12, 2011 02:17:43 PM

Posted by: Tristan, May 12, 2011 02:57:51 PM

Posted by: Wholelottalove, May 12, 2011 03:08:20 PM

Posted by: Christopher Knowles, May 12, 2011 07:13:07 PM

Posted by: Andy, May 12, 2011 08:58:22 PM

Posted by: Human, May 12, 2011 09:50:45 PM

Posted by: William, May 12, 2011 10:35:45 PM **(very insightful & Sidwell grad)

Posted by: Christopher Knowles, May 13, 2011 05:49:58 AM *(Sidwell grad)

Posted by: Karl H, May 13, 2011 07:46:38 AM *(Sidwell grad)

Posted by: CeeBee, May 13, 2011 08:53:59 AM

Posted by: Nemo, May 13, 2011 10:45:00 AM

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Random question here, but does anyone know Huntington's race? I'm probably totally off here but, the husband's rage seems so scorched earth, I wonder if that is providing some of the crazy fuel behind this.

Is this some kind of joke? Are you saying people of certain ethnic races are more prone to "scorched earth" behavior? Really?

Not at all. I was implying that the husband's reaction might be more bizarrely outrageous if his wife had cheated on him with a person of a different race. It's not the case here, so drop it.

Anonymous wrote:Random question here, but does anyone know Huntington's race? I'm probably totally off here but, the husband's rage seems so scorched earth, I wonder if that is providing some of the crazy fuel behind this.

Is this some kind of joke? Are you saying people of certain ethnic races are more prone to "scorched earth" behavior? Really?