My brother and I lose touch occasionally and I "googled" him to try to track him down. To my amazement, I found these articles and his picture. I just couldn't believe it. So, I called him to find out what was going on. He had tried to keep it from the family because he was absolutely mortified. He is embarrassed, angry and perplexed why these articles continue to run on the internet to only further damage his reputation. My brother fought for his country for more than 20 years, has a wonderful wife and daughter and for these things to still be displayed continues to be an upset for him. He has assured me that his marriage is strong and his faith is strong. I suspect he will come out on the other side just fine, but for now, he just prays that no one else will see this article and his picture.

As for me, while I'm glad I found my brother, I am not happy that so little evidence can ruin one man's life. I support him, love him and will be there for him.

Is there any way these articles can be removed?

My son was a student of Mr. Howe's and he, like so many others, had a wonderful year - primarily because of the way he was taught by Mr. Howe. We are active in our kids schools, and neither my husband or I ever saw any inappropriate behavior by Mr. Howe. The kids loved him! He was firm but kind, and always open to discuss any concern you might have about your child.

I feel like so many others, when the full truth comes out he will be proven to be innocent, but I am concerned that the damage has already been done. I know this young girl must be having problems and my heart goes out to her, I just hope that she is getting the proper counseling and not being misdirected by adults.

Our prayers go out to the Howe's and know that there are many of us out here supporting you.

I refuse to believe these horrible allegations and accusations! My daughter was in Mr. Howe's class when he taught at Peachtree City Elementary (2003-2004) and, quite simply, he was one of the best teachers she had in elementary school, or has had since. He expected a lot out of his students, but was always ready to help them meet these expectations. He was a professional in every sense of the word, but still had a great rapport with his students, even some of the ones who complained that his class was too hard. Through piano lessons, we also got to know his lovely wife and daughter. I can't imagine the pain this is causing all of them. I am very happy to see so much support from the Cleveland students and parents. I can only hope and pray that this is resolved in a manner that allows Mr. Howe to reclaim his reputation. I also hope the young girl gets the help she needs.

There are many different sides to this case, and I, along with many others, am just a bystander. But I have personally had Mr. Howe as a teacher, and while there were some negative qualities to his attitude, he was a popular and well-liked student. Most of my friends were shocked when they heard what happened.
Mr. Howe was a friendly teacher that liked to pick on students in a kindhearted and positive way. The only students who didn't like him either a) did not get along with him b) didn't like the way he tought or c) were upset with the classes level of difficulty. Most likely, one of these could have been the motive for her to say this about Mr. Howe.
In conclusion, I have to point out that Mr. Howe is a smart man, who has the common sense that this could ruin his life. He would never be allowed to teach ever again. He would get prison time. This could cause a strain on his marriage and on his family life. He may never get to see his grandchildren, if he has any.

Most of us have a strong belief that he did not do this, and we pray for his family, who will truly be going through many tough times.

We are one of many Cleveland families that would like to express our unconditional support to Mr. Howe. He is one of the most respected and loved teachers in our school. Our daughters had the privilege to have him as their homeroom teacher. Both enjoyed every school day because of his interest and dedication in the classroom. We truly respect that he chose to become a teacher after more than 20 years of faithful service in the U.S. Navy. His unique experiences separate him from the rest. We are keeping Mr. Howe and his family in our prayers. We hope that this situation is resolved quickly and would love him to continue teaching in OUR school. We ask for all Cleveland families to continue their support for this exceptional educator to FCBOE, this newspaper, the community, and Cleveland Elementary.

I am a parent of a 5th grader at Cleveland. Needless to say I was beyond shocked when I heard of these accusations. He is an outstanding teacher and very much respected and loved by students and parents. That is definitely apparent by the comments on here. I agree that he is innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately his reputation has been ruined. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family through this difficult time.

Okay, first of all this article if you can call it that, spelled his name wrong. Lowe? What the hell. People its Howe. Anyways, Mr. Howe taught me back when I was in fifth grade in the 2004-05 school year. I'm now at the school next door as an 8th grader. But my point is that this girl went to my school in the year after and claimed that Mr. Howe molested her and now two years later finally tells. What is wrong with this picture? Was she scared? Did he threaten to fail her for the year or kill her if she told anyone of what had occured. And come on it was after school on school property. Teachers were bound to be around and cameras I doubt that he would have done something like this when all of those factors came together. I doubt that its true, because when he taught me and my class he was nothing but a good man with a big heart. He made school funn and never did anything to us girls or boys for that matter. The most he would do was swish our pony tails and say "what behind a pony's tail?" nothing else. And now a report saying that he molested this unknown girl who does not even go to the school anymore or is in the county says that he molested her? Just think all possible evidence that this ever occured is gone. For my main concern is his family. He has a daughter in college and children who have had children of thier own, and his wife. What pressure must they be going through right now? His children (some of which he adopted. He told our class this.) having to tell thier children that their grandfather is in jail. How do you explain that to a child? His wife all of the pressure going for her. Her husband in jail, what must the neighbors say? And gossip. And her emotional state right now. And his daughter going through college this must put some pressure on her and her studies. Whatever the case may be is I hope that he is not guilty. INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. and chances are he is. What evidence can they now hold against him? Its been two years all possible signs are gone.
The child for that matter would have spoken up sooner or her parents would have realized wait a minute something is wrong here. She has never acted like this before but no she waited.
I pray for the Howes. And hope that Mr. Howe beloved teacher by all will be proven innocent.

I don't believe Mr. Howe is guilty for even a second.

What motive would this girl have to accuse Mr. Howe at this point? She's out of the school system. Yeah maybe for attention... But why NOW?

Chances are the "improper touching" could have been just a grope or a nudge. Maybe she didn't report it immediately because she didn't feel it was *wrong* at the time.

After all Mr. Howe is an adult, and by all accounts a super guy.

Maybe she just felt Mr. Howe was so well-liked that no one would believe her. Even her parents. (Kids thinking it a lot more irrational and they're way more insecure at this age remember).

If this gets to a jury trial the jury will know for sure whether the girl is lying. Kids just can't lie unless they are totally psychopathic --- generally that stuff shows up in the psych exams they get after the alleged incident.

If the police SAT on this for so long and finally got enough evidence to make an arrest there's something more than we know at this point.

ALL THIS SAID the truth will come out at some point. If Mr. Howe is guilty he will be brought to trial and it will take a very courageous young lady to put him back in his place.

If he's not guilty that will be very evident to the jury (or maybe the prosecutor who would drop the charges before it gets to that point).

Or better yet *SHOCKING* that there is not a single post in defense of the accuser. Hmmmmm.....

This is absolutely a tragedy for the Howes and for the 5th grade class that will have this to remember from their last year in elementary school. Guilty or not (and I'm believing the NOT), he did wonders in the classroom and was a refreshing inspiration for the children - especially mine. God Bless you, Howes.

I am a Cleveland Elementary parent. My heart goes out to Mr. Howe's coworkers in the building, as well as his family. I am sure that the principal was following instructions from the administrators at the Board of Education for something of this magnitude. It's called "chain of command". I appreciate the office trying to notify me before I turned on the evening news or received a phone call from a neighbor (or, heaven forbid - the automated phone message system the school uses). There are over 500 children in the school; taping was the quickest way, I'm sure, to make sure the letters went home today. I can't imagine even having to stuff that many envelopes, much less sealing them the traditional way. I hope that parents will take a deep breath and think things through before spreading anymore "trash talk" about the school.
After talking with my children about the letter, my husband and I then had a long talk with them about opening other people's mail. One child (the oldest and the one who should have known better) had opened the letter, read it, told others what she had read before giving it to me. It doesn't matter how it was sealed, or even if was sealed at all - you do not read other people's correspondence! I hope that I am not the only parent who was upset that their child (who I thought knew better) had opened and read a letter that was not their letter to read. We are also very upset that she told other children the letter's content. Maybe I am old-school, but my child lost privileges because of her action.
Cleveland family, you are in many people's prayers tonight.

I know Bill Howe on a personal level. When I met him, he was the most warming and welcoming person I have met in a long time. When I found out about these accusations, I was beyond shocked. It brought me to tears. I was welcomed by his family and made to feel like one of his own. Bill is a soft-spoken, kind hearted man with nothing but the best intentions. He always has a smile on his face and is genuinely happy to see you. I hope that everyone reading this understand that, what has been written about him is only what the publishers want you to know. The truth about this story will prove him to be innocent. I know a lot about children being molested, as I have been. When molestation happens, it changes you. I never had to tell anyone, they could see it on my face, and how I acted. If 2 years went by and no one noticed a difference in this child---something’s up. I wish nothing but the best for Bill and his family, as the news has ruined his reputation. Remember- Innocent until proven guilty. Good luck Howe’s! I pray for you.

I encourage everyone ro call ( 770-716-3905 ), write of fax ( 770-716-3909) the school, ( Cleveland ) and ask them why in gods green earth did they send home a letter today that wasn't sealed completely, only sealed with a single peice of tape to the parents concerning the events surrounding Mr. Howe.

More than one child opened the letters while packing for the end of the day and it did nothing but upset them further. We as parents are the ones who have to deal with the fallout, because some kids opened this letter and saw the word arrested and the rumors mill went into overdrive. It's our job as parents to sit down and explain this sitaution and not have some snot nosed kid open a letter thats not even sealed and upset classmates or other students. I am really upset at the fact Mr. Howe was fired and simply wasn't allowed to be placed on admin leave until the matter was resolved in court, if it gets that far.

Great job Fayetteville Police, you ever heard of allowing a non violent man being allowed to turn himself in at the end of the school day? Please tell us , what risk was Mr. Howe to anyone, since the investigation had been ongoing since Sept? Did youthink he was going to flee and have a passport hidden on his person to escape to some other country? Great job to dismiss the man FCBOE, guess the school system is looking to dump him and distance themselves from Mr. Howe in case a civil suit follows.

We support me Howe and are with holding any judgement, too bad our school system doesn't believe in innocent until proven guilty.

My year in 5th grade with Mr. Howe were one of my best fun times in my life. When i heard that Mr. howe was being arrested, i was shocked. he was the best teacher ever yet i had. i mean if this girl was touched or whatever by Mr. Howe from 2 years ago, then she would tell on that year. I know that mr. howe is innicest from that case and should continue as a teacher in the Cleveland Crocks elmentry school. and also, he wouldnt do that. i mean come on people, the girl proabuly had dreamed or accidently had came that to her mind. im in 8th grade and i know that he didnt do anything to touch or even to do anything else. Ive known his family for years and he nevered did anything. so i think the girl is just being a stupid or crazy idoit.

and mick why won't u shut ur mouth

I think we need to have more info before we pass judgment on such an outstanding teacher. I also have a child currently/formerly in his class. It is hard for me to believe these accusations are true. It appears a long time has passed since the alleged incident. We need to wait and see all the facts…Remember…One is innocent until proven guilty by their peers (in a court of law.) Until otherwise determined…We support you, too... Mr. Howe!!

If this man is guilty then please, by all means, punish him to the fullest extent of the law. However, I have seen situations like this before where a child will report something like this only to have it be exposed as a horrible lie when it's too late to repair any damage done to the accused. If this child is lying, I hope the truth will come out very soon. This man's name has been ruined, & that's something that can't be taken away.

I for one am shocked. My daughter is currnetly in now what can be called his former class. I agree with those who believe we should not pass judgement and let the case play out. Mr. Howe is innocent until proven guilty, but the whole story seems a little far fetched. What shocked me was how Cleveland handled the matter. sending home a note the day he was arrest, the follwed it up with the full story. but they sent the information home in TAPED envelopes, not sealed. So the kids had access tot he letter, which now only goes to fuel the rumor mill further.

Mr. Howe was pulled in the middle of the day and the kids were left stunned as to what was going on. Lets hope there is a far investigation of the matter and this is not a case of rushing to judgement. Until its proven otherwise, we support Mr. Howe and pray for him and his family.

This just doesn't smell right. I think I'll wait until all of the facts are in to make judgement (and avoid the crowd). If he's guilty, then hang him from the nearest tree. If the young girl lied...... oh well, I forgot; she'll get a free pass.

Either way it turns out this man's life is ruined.

Bill Howe taught both of my children and I found him to be an intelligent and professional teacher. He is also a veteran of the Navy. Because communities are so quick to condemn before getting the facts of these incidents, these accusations can have a devastating effect on someone's life.

If the allegations prove true and he is convicted, certainly punishment to the fullest degree is warranted. However, I hope we can all defer judgement until the facts are in.

While triumph110 has a point about the number of cases, it does not speak to the veracity of the complaints. And there have been a number of well-documented incidents where these type of allegations proved false. Unfortunately, when they are false, the facts can't restore reputations damaged by the allegations.

Again, all I can do is plead for everyone to take rational and mature wait-and-see approach before condemning someone who I know to be a good man.

This is happening all over the country. Go to www.schoolteachernews.com and click on the Scandal page. Already this year they have documented over 15 of these types of incidents. Last year they documented 479.