Jordan Powers James HookerPolice in Modesto, California are investigating whether or not there may be a criminal case against James Hooker, a 41-year-old former high school teacher who resigned to move in with Jordan Powers, an 18-year-old student he met while teaching.

Hooker was placed on administrative leave on February 3 by Modesto City Schools and resigned less than three weeks later.

The former business and computer teacher left his wife and children to move into an apartment with Powers, an Enochs High School senior he had first met when she was a freshman at the school.

“In making our choice, we’ve hurt a lot of people,” Hooker said. “We keep asking ourselves, ‘Do we make everyone else happy or do we follow our hearts?’ ”

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The girl’s mother, Tammie Powers, says she thinks Hooker pursued her daughter, and said her daughter has been having problems with her grades as well as her health, including panic attacks.

“I believe it was the stress of the lie,” Tammie said of the unusual situation.

Police are now trying to ascertain whether there was any inappropriate contact between Hooker and Powers before she turned 18 last fall.

Jordan Powers’ father died in 2001 and Tammie Powers is currently engaged. Her fiancee and one of his children live with them, along with Jordan’s younger brother. Tammie said her fiancee “is horrified, but he’s not going to fight with him.”

Tammie has waged a very public campaign on Facebook, calling Hooker “an arrogant pervert.” She’s urging readers to “help get the word out” about his involvement with a student.

The community of Modesto has largely reacted with shock and dismay.

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