Bridgette Doucette-Howell, Former teacher of the year finalist accused of sexually assaulting student

After being accused of sexually assaulting a student last year, a former New Hampshire teacher of the year finalist is facing criminal charges.

This is the first case that County Attorney Patricia Conway’s office would prosecute under a relatively new statute that focuses on the relationship of authority over an alleged victim rather than their age.

Bridgette Doucette-Howell, 38, was charged in April and May 2021 with three counts of serious felonious sexual assault of an 18-year-old. The accuser was a Sanborn Regional High School student.

Doucette-Howell worked as an extracurricular activity theatre coach at the high school on a limited basis, according to the superintendent, and has not been affiliated with the district since. The Department of Education has suspended her instructor license, citing its top responsibility as preserving the safety of children.

The age of the accuser is not an element of the specific criminal conduct in this case. RSA 632-A, as expressed by former county attorney Patricia LaFrance, is about persons in positions of power.

“You have these culprits supposedly preying on these people, whether they are minors or adults, over whom they have control,” LaFrance added. “In this case, the statute refers to schools in particular.”

The statute lasts for ten months after a student has graduated from high school.

“It’s almost breaking the bonds or the bond or the hold that person may have over that student,” LaFrance explained, “to give that student time to move away and say, ‘OK, I’m out of that scenario now, maybe this isn’t the ideal situation for me to be in.”

Doucette-lawyer Howell’s stated that she believes she is innocent.

Last known contact information:
Address: 94A Merrimack Rd Amherst, NH 03031
Phone: (603) 702-0473
Email: pagrad71@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/unhdncr21