Teacher Fired Because Her Ex-husband Is Abusive

By Evann Gastaldo
The Newser
June 13, 2013

http://www.newser.com/story/169461/teacher-fired-because-her-ex-husband-is-abusive.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=goognews&utm_campaign=chan3_feed

It's bad enough that Carie Charlesworth is dealing with an abusive ex-husband—but now she's also out of a job due to the situation. After a "very bad weekend" involving her ex in January, Charlesworth warned the principal at San Diego's Holy Trinity School to watch out for him. He did indeed show up in the school parking lot, forcing a lockdown. Charlesworth was immediately put on "indefinite leave," as were her four kids, who attended the school. Despite the fact that her ex is now in jail, three months later she was fired after 14 years with the Diocese of San Diego, NBC San Diego reports.

The termination letter from the diocese notes that, though school officials "feel deeply" for Charlesworth and are praying for her, her ex has a 22-year history of documented violence and has not been deterred by restraining orders. Out of fear that he may cause problems upon his release from prison (which they note could happen as soon as "next fall"), "we simply cannot allow you to return to work [at Holy Trinity] or, unfortunately, at any other school in the diocese," the letter states, adding that Charlesworth will continue to be paid through Aug. 9. Charlesworth, who plans to file a lawsuit, says, "That's why women of domestic violence don't come forward, because they're afraid of the way people are going to see them, view them, perceive them, treat them."