Ex-librarian posts bail in rape charges
Woman surrenders on accusations of sex with Harrah student.
Former Harrah librarian posts bail in rape charges

By Jay F. Marks

Published: July 22, 2008

A former school librarian hurried out of court Monday after being arraigned on rape charges involving a 15-year-old student.

Laura Kathleen Cantrell said nothing about the charges, but her attorney questioned the credibility of her alleged victim.

Defense attorney Mickey Homsey said the teen has given authorities several different accounts of his relationship with Cantrell, who was suspended from her position as a media aide at Harrah Junior High School after the allegations came to light in January.

She resigned in May after school officials recommended firing her.

Cantrell, a 40-year-old mother of two, surrendered to authorities Monday to face charges of second-degree rape and oral sodomy.

Cantrell was released from the Oklahoma County jail after posting $15,000 bail.

Homsey said she has no history of problems in more than 10 years as a school employee.

He said the charges against her are the result of authorities taking snippets of her words and actions to support the teenager's claims.

The 15-page affidavit prepared by a Harrah police detective chronicles an investigation into other allegations against Cantrell over the past few years, but most were unsubstantiated.

"This is like taking a cannon to a gnat,” Homsey said.

He said police have searched Cantrell's home three times without finding any incriminating evidence, but she has had to prove she didn't steal the computer officers found at her house.

"She doesn't deserve this,” Homsey said.

Cantrell is due back in court Sept. 4.