A former band teacher in Independence who was charged with molesting a student died a day before a scheduled court hearing.

The Independence Examiner reports court records show 29-year-old James N. Owens of Lee's Summit died July 30. The cause of death was not listed.

Owens was a band teacher at William Chrisman High School when he was charged with child enticement and second-degree child molestation involving a 14-year-old female student.

Court records indicate a plea hearing was scheduled for July 31 but it had been rescheduled for Aug. 21.

Court documents allege that Owens exchanged more than 100 phone calls and more than 1,500 text messages with the girl.

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