Judge: Ex-coach accused of sex crimes can talk with student

LOUISBURG, N.C. — A former Louisburg High School coach accused of having a sexual relationship with a student can remain in contact with her if he wants.

Superior Court Judge Michael Morgan on Friday granted a motion by the student's parents for limited telephone contact between the 17-year-old girl and James Collier, who coached football and was the school's athletic director until he resigned last month.

Morgan said Wednesday that the girl's parents told him she was at least a few months pregnant and that she was depressed, not eating well and was not taking prescribed prenatal vitamins.

After a thorough analysis of the matter, Morgan said, he allowed contact for the best interest of the girl and her unborn child.

He could not say whether Collier is the child's father.

According to Morgan's order, the girl and Collier can talk a maximum of one hour per day on her parents' land-line telephone as long as the call is monitored by at least one of her parents.

Collier also has the right to decline any calls and to end the calls at any time, the order states.

Collier, 40, of 401 W. Noble St., Louisburg, was arrested earlier this month following an investigation by Louisburg police and the State Bureau of Investigation.

He faces felony charges of sexual offense on a student and taking indecent liberties with a student. He is out of jail on a $5,000 bond.

Police have not said how long the alleged sexual relationship might have lasted, and they declined to comment Wednesday afternoon.

The criminal case against Collier will continue, but Franklin County District Attorney Samuel Currin declined to comment about it or Morgan's ruling.