The King County Sheriff’s office reported a woman teacher at Kentlake High School was arrested and booked into the King County jail Thursday, March 17, for investigation of sexual misconduct with a minor, first degree, a class C felony.
Sgt. John Urquhart, spokesman for the King County Sheriff’s Office, stated the 37-year-old woman is alleged to have had sexual contact with a 17-year-old male student.
According to the release from the sheriff’s office, the mother of the victim went to school authorities with her suspicions after she found an inordinate number of text messages between her son and the teacher on the boy’s cell phone.
Officials from the Kent School District notified the sheriff’s office of the allegations on Tuesday, March 8, and an investigation began, culminating in the booking.
The school district placed the woman on administrative leave during the investigation.
“Since the investigation is ongoing, we cannot comment on specifics of the incident or the investigation,” said Chris Loftis, executive director of communications for the school district in a statement sent to the media.
“We have quickly taken the appropriate steps necessary to ensure the safety of students, to assist law enforcement as they investigate the allegations, and to honor the presumption of innocence for the staff member involved that our legal system demands. We recognize that situations such as this, while extremely rare, are very difficult for all concerned.”
Urquhart stated charges have not been be filed with the King County Prosecutor’s Office yet, but will be once the investigation is complete.
The woman was released from jail the day after she was booked, Urquhart said.
Urquhart noted in the release that the statute used in this case is written to prohibit teachers (or other school employees) from having sexual intercourse with students who are 16 or 17 years old, when the employee is at least 60 months older than the student.
The age of consent for a sexual relationship is 16 in Washington state.
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