DEL NORTE — The second hearing in the case of a former teacher from the Creede School District was held Aug. 29 Rio Grande County. The first hearing last week was over a civil restraining order.  This week Heidi Anderson was in court concerning changes to her $5,000 bond.

The attorney for Anderson, Mr. Lloyd asked Rio Grande County Judge Barbara A. Zollars, to revise the bond for Anderson to either a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond or reduce the amount of the bond she is currently on.

Lloyd said that the $5,000 bond has been a hardship on Anderson and her husband because she had to resign from the Creede School District due to the case. The couple has been forced to sell their house in Creede and buy a less expensive one, he said.

The Assistant District Attorney, objected to the court even considering a PR bond because Anderson allegedly violated a protection order in an on-going criminal case. That case will probably result in “additional criminal charges.” He said the investigators have just finished reviewing “thousands of messages” between Anderson and victim in the case.

He emphasized to Zollar that the two issues to be considered when changing the status of a bond are whether the defendant will appear in court and making sure the community is safe. He said that even with an earlier protection order in place, Anderson still communicated with the victim electronically. Although the victim is no longer living in Creede, Anderson could still attempt some form of electronic communication he added.

Lloyd countered with the fact that there are no additional charges filed and the victim is out of the San Luis Valley. “My client has done nothing to violate the protection order, and a reduction in the bond is appropriate.”

After hearing both sides, Zollar reduced the bond to $1,000. She said, “I have a safety concern” with Anderson. She then told Anderson that she is to “comply 100 percent with the protection order. I will not allow any contact with the victim. There is no room for that. No face-to-face. No electronic communication and no third-party contact. If you violate that, you could be back here with a violation of the bond and possibly in contempt of court,” she emphasized.

Anderson acknowledged the orders of the judge.

Her next court appearance is Sept. 5 and will probably be transferred to District Court after that.