The Onslow County school district released a statement on April 26 stating their successful internal investigation.

“The students and staff involved in this situation deserve their privacy, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. This has been very disruptive to the learning environment of Swansboro High School and has caused real harm,” the statement, which was sent to HuffPost Thursday, read. “Therefore, as we move forward as a community, we urge everyone to treat this situation and the individuals involved with the same courtesy and sensitivity that you would want if you, or a member of your family was involved.”

Meanwhile, Samantha Peterson, who identified herself as a former student, has launched an online petition in support of Laughinghouse. Peterson, who says she graduated from Swansboro High School in 2006, defended her teacher as a victim of “the same type of bullying and misconduct that he always spoke against,” and called for him to be fully reinstated. She then asked supporters to fight to “save a heroic voice that brought a little light into the dark days of high school.”

“I could never imagine what was going through those students’ minds when they decided to target a supportive teacher, but I can only believe that they did not understand the gravity of their actions. I don’t want to use this letter to make excuses for a group of children who made a terrible mistake, but the thing is, I know that’s exactly what Mr. Laughinghouse would do to make an impact on their lives. That’s the type of teacher and person he is, so I’m asking you not to pass judgment on him over an incident in which he had no control. He helped save me in a time that, for me at least, was incredibly difficult.

Mr. Laughinghouse is always there quietly serving as a hero to students in need. From small things, like buying lunch for students who forgot their money at home, to bigger actions, like helping a student struggling with problems at home. I can’t claim to know all of the stories, but I’m hoping that a few of the people in the list below can help shed some light on the teacher, friend, and hero that we all learned to love.”

Anderson and Luckenbaugh are scheduled to appear in court June 15.