St. Helens High teacher’s sex abuse case delayed again [Video]

ST. HELENS, Ore. — St. Helens High School teacher Eric Stearns will stay in jail for the time being; his sexual abuse court case was delayed once again. Stearns faces 18 sexual abuse charges against 12 different people.

His case is part of a scandal that rocked the St. Helens community and led to multiple arrests and changes in school leadership. The choir teacher and cheerleading coach is accused of sexually abusing students and adults over many years.

Stearns and his defense attorney, Jennifer Myrick, are pushing for a new judge. On Monday, he waived his right to a preventative detention hearing within five days, saying he will remain in jail until the court decides on a motion for a new judge. His defense attorney wants a new judge over complaints about court filings and how the current judge …