Special-ed teacher accused of sexually abusing 10-year-old boy almost daily — up to 5 times per day — at elementary school



A special-education teacher in Washington state is accused of raping a 10-year-old student at an elementary school, according to court documents.

The Spokane Police Department said in a statement that a principal alerted officers that a "family member of a student had disclosed to them statements the child made regarding possible sex acts with an adult female teacher."

'We are additionally concerned for community safety based on the level of sophistication and planning involved in perpetrating these sexual assaults.'

Around 3:30 p.m. Feb. 12, officers responded to the reports of child sex crimes.

"When officers arrived and took the initial report, they obtained statements and evidence to believe these allegations were founded," the police news release stated. "SPD's Special Victims Unit was called and took over the investigation."

Police said investigators "worked tirelessly over the past month to obtain evidence and solidify the investigation."

Officers arrested 32-year-old Mahayla Benavides on March 12, and she was charged with rape of a child in the first degree and child molestation in the first degree.

On March 17, Benavides pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Washington law defines rape of a child in the first degree when a person has "sexual intercourse with another who is less than 12 years old, and the perpetrator is at least 24 months older than the victim."

Child molestation in the first degree is when a person "has, or knowingly causes another person under the age of 18 to have, sexual contact with another who is less than 12 years old, and the perpetrator is at least 36 months older than the victim," according to Washington law.

Benavides' bond was set at $500,000, according to jail records.

RELATED: Marriage meltdown: Mom-of-two teacher busted for alleged child molestation of student; reportedly loses custody of kids

KXLY-TV reported that Spokane Police Department officers interviewed Benavides at her home in February and administered a cheek swab.

Police said Benavides didn't want to answer officers' questions, but KXLY said she "performed a 'Google search' for a lawyer."

KXLY added that "police also collected evidence from the classroom at Stevens Elementary School, which detectives say included a bean bag chair that tested positive for a bodily fluid."

Citing court records, KXLY reported that the student told investigators the alleged sexual abuse occurred almost every day — "sometimes as much as five times per day."

The boy informed investigators that the alleged child abuse often happened in a "time-out room," but Benavides would occasionally touch him sexually in the classroom when other young students were present, according to documents filed in Spokane County Superior Court.

According to the affidavit, Benavides pressured the minor to remain silent and said that disclosing the relationship could result in legal trouble or the loss of her job.

The student told investigators that Benavides recorded sexually explicit videos of herself and then showed them to him at school, KXLY reported.

KXLY reported, "In one of the videos, she uses the child's name."

Police also found videos of Benavides appearing to perform a sexual act with the student in the classroom, according to the affidavit.

The school district provided police with videos from "the classrooms in question," KXLY said.

Police said they seized items from the special-education teacher and the student, according to the affidavit.

Prosecutors said Benavides' actions were "highly predatory, and we are additionally concerned for community safety based on the level of sophistication and planning involved in perpetrating these sexual assaults," KREM-TV reported.

According to KXLY, prosecutors noted that the special-ed teacher was able to "keep her actions hidden for a long period of time."

Spokane Public Schools told KREM, "It's vital that we allow SPD to conduct its investigation, and SPS will continue to follow our policies as we take the next steps pending the outcome."

Sweetser Law Office, which is representing the alleged victim's family, said in a statement, "Parents entrust schools with their children every day. That trust exists because families believe their children will be safe in the care of the adults responsible for them. Every child deserves that safety."

The Spokane Police Department said Spokane School District 81 "acted quickly once this information was brought to their attention, promptly separating Benavides from the child and further school access, and calling police."

The Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment.

Benavides is scheduled to appear in court May 11, according to KREM.

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School employee, 34, allegedly had sex with 13-year-old student, gave him alcohol, weed — and cops believe she's on the run



A Colorado school employee has been accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old student, and authorities believe the employee is on the run from law enforcement.

The Greeley Police Department said in a statement that officers on Feb. 12 responded to reports that a Greeley-Evans School District 6 staff member sexual assaulted a 13-year-old student.

'This can get me fired.'

Police identified the staffer as 34-year-old Brenda Meza.

"During the investigation, it was determined Meza engaged in continuous sexual abuse of the minor for several months," police said.

The New York Post reported that Meza could face 12 felonies, including sexual assault of a child, internet luring of a child, and tampering with physical evidence, as well as one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

However, Meza now may be on the run. Police said attempts to contact Meza have been "unsuccessful."

Police questioned Meza's husband during a March 11 traffic stop, but he said he didn't know where his wife was — and that he was on his way to the Mexican border, according to Post.

Meza was a staff member at Franklin Middle School at the time of the accusations.

KDVR-TV obtained a letter that school Principal Suzette Luster sent to parents of students.

"Student safety and security is always our first priority. We are very sorry if these allegations have negatively impacted our school, staff, and students," Luster said.

Luster also noted, "If your student needs extra support during this time, please reach out to our counseling office."

Meza was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 12 and terminated on Feb. 25, according to KDVR.

Citing the letter, KDVR reported that Meza was hired in February 2020.

"While employed at the middle school, she worked as the school secretary, assisted with club games and coached cross-country, and had also served as a substitute for a year beforehand," according to KDVR.

Luster also said in the letter that police told her investigators believe Meza has fled the state to avoid prosecution.

RELATED: 5th-grade teacher — accused of having 'sexual conversation' with child under 12 — now slapped with far more shocking charges

According to an arrest affidavit the New York Post obtained, Meza told police during an interview that the teen discovered her Instagram during Thanksgiving break last year.

According to the affidavit, Meza sent photos of her buttocks and breasts after the 8th-grader at Franklin Middle School messaged her pictures of his genitals.

During the interrogation, Meza told investigators that she and the boy "got super close to each other ... almost the point of having sex," the affidavit said.

In January, Meza met the boy at a Walmart parking lot, where they consumed ready-to-drink cocktails and marijuana before having sex for the first time, the affidavit said.

Police later found photos of the school secretary and the student inside a car showing the boy drinking alcohol and holding marijuana, court documents said.

Meza had sex with the student two more times over the next few weeks, according to the Post.

The Post, citing police, also reported that Meza "allegedly bragged that the victim's manhood was bigger than her own husband’s ..."

The affidavit stated that Meza sent several "I love you" text messages to the boy and told the teen she would get jealous if she caught him talking to female classmates at school.

Franklin Middle School received an anonymous tip about the alleged child sex abuse on Feb. 12.

The Post reported that school officials confronted Meza about the allegations, and she confessed to her husband that she "got high" and had creepy interactions with a student.

The husband called police after his wife's alleged admission, the Post reported.

The affidavit said Meza admitted to knowing the boy's age and texted the alleged victim, "This can get me fired."

Greeley Police told Blaze News on Monday that Meza is still at large and that there are no updates on the case. Greeley Police also told Blaze News that Meza wasn't arrested when police interviewed her Feb. 12 because it's a "complex case" and that they were still working on compiling evidence and interviewing victims and potential witnesses. Greeley Police added to Blaze News that when officers went to arrest Meza about a month later, she was gone.

The investigation is ongoing.

Officials said those with information regarding the case or where Meza can be located should call the Greeley Police Department at 970-502-2186.

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Ex-teacher and boyfriend indicted on 39 child sex charges; she confessed to abusing 5-year-old at his direction, cops say



A Texas ex-substitute teacher and her boyfriend were indicted on a combined 39 child sex crime charges earlier this month stemming from sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl, according to multiple reports.

Madison Paige Jones, 30, was indicted on 19 criminal charges, including 13 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, four counts of indecency with a child by exposure, one count of indecency with a child sexual contact, and one count of possession with intent to promote child pornography, according to court records.

'She told officers that Jones and Dondlinger were in a relationship and that she had concerns with Dondlinger’s behavior toward a 5-year-old child in Jones’ home.'

On the same day, Jones' 37-year-old boyfriend, Zackery Dondlinger, was indicted on 20 criminal charges, including 13 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, three counts of indecency with a child by exposure, two counts of indecency with a child sexual contact, one count of sexual performance by a child, and one count of possession with intent to promote child pornography.

According to jail records, Jones and Dondlinger are being held at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center in Waxahachie. Their combined bonds total nearly $9 million — $5 million for Dondlinger and $3,840,000 for Jones.

As Blaze News reported in December, Jones had been a substitute teacher with the Midlothian Independent School District. However, the district said Jones was terminated from her position immediately following her arrest.

KDFW-TV reported that Jones had worked as a substitute four times in 2025 at Heritage High School and Baxter Elementary School.

The school district emphasized that there is no indication that the child sex crime charges are linked to Jones’ role as a substitute teacher. The school district said preliminary findings show that none of the alleged misconduct occurred on a Midlothian ISD campus or during school-sanctioned events.

RELATED: Neighbors allegedly noticed something suspicious — now a teacher is accused of 'extremely disturbing' sex assault of student

The Midlothian Police Department said in a statement that officers were "dispatched to investigate a report of a potential sexual assault involving a child" on Dec. 17.

KFDA-TV obtained court documents in January saying officers went to the home of a woman who identified herself as a friend of Jones.

"She told officers that Jones and Dondlinger were in a relationship and that she had concerns with Dondlinger’s behavior toward a 5-year-old child in Jones’ home," KFDA reported.

Court documents said Jones informed authorities that Dondlinger was having sexual fantasies about the child.

According to KFDA, "Officers then spoke with Jones, who then confessed to sexually assaulting the 5-year-old on direction from Dondlinger."

Jones confessed that she sent videos of the sex acts to Dondlinger via Snapchat to satisfy his sexual requests, according to court records.

Citing the affidavit, KFDA reported that investigators discovered a message from Dondlinger that corroborated Jones' claim that she was acting at his direction.

The San Antonio Express-News reported that Jones is accused of possessing more than 500 visual depictions of child pornography.

KVII-TV reported that the alleged child sex abuse involved one purported victim between Dec. 5 and Dec. 17.

According to KVII, Jones was arrested Dec. 19, and Dondlinger was arrested Dec. 23 on an oil rig site about an hour west of Odessa.

Police seized an iPhone and an iPad from Jones and two iPhones from Dondlinger, according to KFDA.

The Midlothian Police Department said Jones and Dondlinger were in a dating relationship, CBS News reported.

The Ellis County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment.

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Lawyer for school secretary accused of sex with students slams cops over viral video: 'Injustice of magnanimous proportions'



A married school secretary at an Indiana high school was reportedly caught by her husband having a sexual relationship with a student in mid-February, which led to the discovery that she allegedly had an unlawful sexual relationship with a second student. However, the suspect's lawyer is calling for action after a video of her interrogation by police went viral, which he described as an "injustice of magnanimous proportions."

As Blaze News reported last month, 31-year-old Alicia Hughes was arrested "following an investigation into allegations involving inappropriate conduct with a minor," according to police.

'I'll need my lawyer here at this point.'

The Union City Police Department announced in a statement, "During the course of the investigation, officers learned that Hughes’ husband had discovered her with an 18-year-old student of Randolph Eastern School Corporation and confronted the individuals."

Police said Hughes was allegedly "battered during that altercation." The Randolph County Sheriff's Department is investigating the alleged battery.

Hughes, an employee of the Randolph Eastern School Corporation, was involved in a sexual relationship with a second student, police stated.

"As the investigation progressed, Union City Police Department investigators uncovered evidence that Alicia Hughes had also engaged in a sexual relationship with a separate high school student who was 17 years old at the time," the statement read.

Police determined that Hughes and the underage student "engaged in sexual intercourse on at least five occasions."

On Feb. 17, Hughes was arrested and charged with five counts of child seduction related to the sexual relationship with the minor student, according to police.

According to Indiana law, child seduction is when a "person uses or exerts the person's professional relationship to engage in sexual intercourse, other sexual conduct, or any fondling or touching with the child with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of the child or the person."

According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, child seduction is a Level 5 felony in Indiana if the child is at least 16 years old but less than 18.

If convicted on all five charges of child seduction, Hughes faces a prison term of between five and 30 years, plus a fine of up to $10,000.

Cleveland.com reported that Randolph Eastern School Corporation Superintendent Neal Adams announced that Hughes "has been removed from all duties with students pending the outcome of the legal process."

However, Hughes' attorney is calling for action after the Union City Police Department released a video that showed a portion of the school employee's interrogation by an officer.

Hughes' attorney, David M. Jordan, called the release of the interrogation video "an injustice of magnanimous proportions," the Star Press reported.

Mark Ater, the Union City Police Department's director of public safety, admitted that his department released the video but said that it was "lawful" to do so.

"The release was lawful, measured, and deliberate," Ater told the Star Press. "The portion disclosed contained no admission of criminal conduct."

Ater pointed out that the two-minute video clip shows an officer discussing accusations that Hughes had sex with an 18-year-old student, which he said is "conduct that is legal under Indiana law."

Ater added, "The department exercised restraint and ensured no protected information was disclosed."

Ater stressed that all of the names of any alleged victims have been redacted from the video.

Hughes' attorney argued, "For his own selfish reasons, [Ater] had impeded the defendant's right to a fair trial, led the public to believe there are multiple alleged victims, and drawn attention to the defendant's request for a lawyer."

Jordan claimed that the video went viral, racking up "millions of combined views of the media accounts containing the defendant's interrogation footage."

The video of the interrogation appeared on numerous websites, including the New York Post, as well as the Sun and the Mirror in the U.K.

Jordan demanded an "expedited hearing" and for the judge to order "Mark Ater, and the Union City Police Department not to release any other evidence or statements to the media" about Hughes' case "without prior approval of the court."

Jordan also asked Ater to issue a public apology "for releasing the interrogation video."

The attorney called on Randolph Circuit Court Judge Jay Toney to order Ater to pay Jordan's office "not less than $10,000" for "the time and effort his law firm has spent collecting evidence for the gag order and presenting the matter to the court."

RELATED: Teacher of the year arrested for alleged child sex crimes — then she's arrested on similar charges just days later

Randolph County Prosecutor David Daly also expressed concern over the release of the interrogation video.

Daly noted, "The recent release of the video interview of Ms. Hughes did not come from my office, and my office did not authorize, approve, or have anything to do with its release."

The Star Press reported that Daly stressed that he is "committed to obtaining a fair trial in this case and to avoid prejudicing Ms. Hughes' right to a fair trial."

Daly also declared that he is "committed to seeking justice for victims."

Ater proclaimed, "Let me be clear. The police department did not seek, nor was it required to seek, approval from the prosecutor's office before releasing this brief excerpt."

WTRC-FM reported that Ater said he has had "some issues with their [the prosecutor's office's] decision-making on multiple cases as far as child abuse."

During the interrogation video, Hughes is heard confessing that she had sex with the 18-year-old student on three occasions, but none were before he turned 18.

The video shows the officer asking Hughes if she has had sex with any other students, to which she responds, "No."

The officer responds, "Are you sure about that?"

Hughes replies, "Yes."

During the interrogation, Hughes is asked about the 17-year-old student, but she denies having sex with the boy. In the video, Hughes admits she met the student and sent him "pictures."

According to the video, the officer questions Hughes on how the relationship with the 17-year-old student started, to which she is seen on video saying, "I'll need my lawyer here at this point."

Ater revealed that the investigation is ongoing and that Hughes may face additional charges because investigators have "several electronic devices that search warrants are being executed on right now."

"We’ve got multiple electronic devices that were used during this unfortunate crime that she committed, so we’re still ironing through all that stuff," Ater stated.

According to WTRC, Ater said the investigation can be lengthy because "law enforcement must sort through electronic devices and social media accounts."

The Union City Police Department said there were no new developments in the investigation.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Union City Police Department at 937-968-7744.

The Randolph County Prosecutor's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Blaze News.

WTRC-FM reported that Hughes is scheduled to appear in court on April 16 for pretrial motions, then on May 7 for a pretrial conference, and the jury trial begins on June 15.

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Dad accused of killing daughter's alleged rapist wins Republican sheriff nomination: 'We're just getting started'



An Arkansas father who is facing second-degree murder charges for allegedly killing his teen daughter's suspected sexual abuser has won the Republican nomination for county sheriff.

As Blaze News reported in October 2024, Aaron Spencer woke up to find his 14-year-old daughter missing from the family’s home. Police were notified about the missing girl.

'Michael Fosler is [expletive] dead on the side of the road for trying to kidnap my daughter. I had no choice.'

Spencer got in his vehicle to try to track down his missing daughter and spotted a white Ford truck on the highway owned by Michael Fosler — the 67-year-old man accused of raping Spencer's daughter.

The Lonoke County Sheriff's Office said in a press release, "While en route, deputies were notified that the father, Aaron Spencer, had located the juvenile in a vehicle with Michael Fosler."

The affidavit said Spencer used his vehicle to rear-end Fosler’s Ford F-150 truck at an intersection, which forced it off the road and into a ditch.

Citing court records, USA Today reported that Spencer "then got out of his car and started firing a gun at Fosler. He fired 16 times, court records state, noting 15 bullets hit Fosler."

Court documents said Spencer pistol-whipped Fosler in the face after firing the shots.

Court records show Spencer then called 911 and said, "Michael Fosler is [expletive] dead on the side of the road for trying to kidnap my daughter. I had no choice."

Police said Fosler was pronounced dead at the crime scene.

Spencer was arrested, charged with second-degree murder in connection with Fosler's death, and then released from the Lonoke County Detention Center after posting bail.

Court documents said Spencer went to the home of a female acquaintance of Fosler on July 8, 2024, told the woman that Fosler raped his underage daughter, and then demanded Fosler's phone number and home address.

Spencer instructed the woman not to call anyone, including the police, according to court documents.

However, Fosler's acquaintance revealed the situation to one of her family members, who was a mandated reporter. According to USA Today, "Mandated reporters are required to notify law enforcement officials or social services about suspected cases of child abuse."

The mandated reporter alerted the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office about the rape allegations, court records stated.

Court records said two officers went to Spencer's residence as part of the investigation into the rape of his minor daughter.

Court docs said the interaction between Spencer and officers was recorded on a police bodycam, and one of the officers is heard telling Spencer, "We still don't live in a country where you can take the law into your own hands," to which Spencer responded with an expletive.

Officials with the Wade Knox Children's Advocacy Center interviewed Spencer's daughter, according to court records.

USA Today reported that police obtained an arrest warrant for Fosler for a charge of rape and one count of internet stalking of a child — both of which are felonies.

USA Today said Fosler was arrested and then released from jail on $50,000 bond on July 17, 2024.

RELATED: 'Want him buried': Family's explosive words surface after cheerleader's stepbrother reportedly charged in her death on cruise

Spencer's sister-in-law in 2025 launched a GiveSendGo crowdfunding campaign, which has raised over $100,000 in an effort to keep their "family afloat amid Aaron’s daunting legal proceedings."

"Beginning in the spring of 2024, my then 13-year-old niece was targeted by a predator, groomed, and assaulted multiple times," the crowdfunding listing said.

As Blaze News reported in October 2024, Spencer launched a political campaign to become the new Lonoke County Sheriff despite awaiting trial in connection with the alleged murder of Fosler.

The Arkansas secretary of state revealed that Spencer won more than 53% of the vote in last Tuesday's three-person GOP primary, easily defeating incumbent Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley and David Bufford.

Spencer said of his victory, "Lonoke County sent a clear message last night, and we're just getting started."

"I'm running to restore accountability and integrity to the sheriff's office, and the people of this county just showed they want the same thing," the father said on his campaign Facebook page. "Let's finish the job and build a safer, stronger Lonoke County together."

Sheriff Staley congratulated Spencer by saying in a statement, "Tonight, the voters made their decision in the Republican Primary, and I respect the decision."

Staley had been the Lonoke County Sheriff for the last 13 years.

Spencer — a husband, father, combat veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, contractor, and farmer — now will face off against Democrat nominee Brian Mitchell Sr. in November.

Fox News noted that Spencer will be prohibited from serving as sheriff if he is convicted of the murder charge.

Spencer's trial initially was scheduled for January but has been postponed. He has pleaded not guilty.

Spencer's lawyers released a statement Friday: "Aaron did exactly what Arkansas law allows and exactly what any father would do: He protected his daughter and himself from harm."

"We said from the beginning that Aaron was justified under Arkansas law in protecting his daughter, and every time the facts have come into focus, that conclusion has only become clearer," the Lassiter & Cassinelli legal team proclaimed.

His lawyers also characterized Spencer's supporters as "parents, veterans, and neighbors who watched the system fail and support a father who stepped up."

"Lonoke County residents have rallied behind Aaron Spencer not just in his legal defense, but in his broader mission to bring accountability to a county government that has long operated without it," the statement said.

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'Party mom' who officials say 'coordinated' sexual assaults at secret, alcohol-fueled teen parties hears from jury



A California woman — dubbed the "party mom" by local authorities — has been convicted on dozens of charges related to hosting alcohol-fueled parties for young teens. The district attorney's office determined that the mother "endangered" teens and "coordinated" sexual assaults during boozy parties involving her 15-year-old son.

On Wednesday, a jury convicted 51-year-old Shannon O'Connor of 48 charges — including two felony charges of sexual penetration — stemming from hosting parties for teens that included alcohol and sexual conduct, the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office stated in a news release titled, "Party mom convicted: Faces long prison term."

'This defendant not only didn't protect these children, she endangered their safety, coordinated their sexual assaults, and she tried to get them not to tell.'

The Mercury News reported, "The sexual penetration convictions were the most serious, as prosecutors argued that O'Connor sexually assaulted the two girls by enabling them to become so intoxicated they could not legally consent."

KTVU-TV reported, "After the verdicts were read, the parent of one of the victims called O'Connor a 'predator,' a 'stalker,' a 'groomer,' and a 'harasser,' who was 'very good at what she did.'"

O'Connor could face more than 30 years in prison, according to the Mercury News. Plus, she must register as a sex offender. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 26 in Santa Clara County Superior Court.

The district attorney's office said in the statement that O'Connor, also known as Shannon Bruga, hosted "drunken parties for young teenagers where she bought alcohol and egged on sex acts — some with teens too drunk to consent."

The announcement noted that O'Connor purchased vodka and whiskey for the teenagers and even provided them with condoms.

The DA said O'Connor "discouraged the teens from telling their parents or police about the parties or calling for help when one of the victims passed out in their own vomit."

The district attorney's office pointed out that the children at these boozy parties were "mostly 14- and 15-year-olds."

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said, "This defendant not only didn't protect these children, she endangered their safety, coordinated their sexual assaults, and she tried to get them not to tell."

Rosen added, "These brave kids came forward to tell the truth about what happened and to put a stop to it."

RELATED: Teens testify they saw mayor having sex with 16-year-old boy during boozy pool party at her home. Now verdict is in.

As Blaze News reported in October 2021, O'Connor organized secret parties for teens, purchased "copious amounts of alcohol" for the underage attendees, and even encouraged them to have sex.

An investigator for the DA's office said in court records that O'Connor "supplied excessive amounts of alcohol to her son and his minor friends to the point where minors would vomit, be unable to stand, and fall unconscious," according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The Mercury News previously reported that the parties took place at O'Connor's $4.7 million home in Los Gatos.

The Santa Clara District Attorney's Office said in October 2021 that the "child abuse charges outline a long line of O'Connor's drunken and destructive house parties for young teens lasting from 2020 to earlier this year."

O'Connor warned the teens to keep the boozy parties secret, according to authorities.

"She would warn the teens not to disclose the parties, or she could go to jail," the DA's office stated.

What's more, the DA's office said O'Connor even "handed an underage teenager a condom and pushed him into a room with an intoxicated minor."

"During a New Year's Eve party at her home with about five 14-year-olds, the defendant watched and laughed as a drunk teen sexually battered a young girl in bed," the DA stated.

The DA's office said O'Connor also "brought one drunk teen into a bedroom at her home where an intoxicated 14-year-old girl was lying in the bed."

After the underage girl allegedly was sexually assaulted, the juvenile female asked O'Connor: "Why did you leave me in there with him?"

The DA's office revealed that O'Connor also used the Snapchat social media platform or text messaged teens to "leave their homes in the middle of the night" to "drink at her home."

"In another case, she let a minor drive her SUV in the Los Gatos High School parking lot while two other teens held on to the back," the DA's statement reads. "One fell off and was knocked unconscious."

The Mercury News reported in October 2021 that O'Connor was "apparently known as 'the cool mom' since the older son was in middle school and had raised eyebrows among some parents for her chumminess with her sons' friends."

Citing prosecutors, Fox News previously reported that O’Connor pressured teen girls to engage in sexual acts with boys — including her then-15-year-old son.

"If the girls did not consent, the 47-year-old mom would allegedly pull them aside for 'a private conversation' until they each went into a room with a boy," according to Fox News.

The Washington Post, citing court documents, reported in 2021 that "when O'Connor suspected one teen was telling outsiders about her secret parties, she threatened to spread rumors about the girl and persuaded other teens to harass her."

Court documents also state that the girl "suffered mental and emotional turmoil," including panic attacks, and subsequently needed to sleep in her parents' bedroom.

In October 2021, O'Connor was arrested at her home in Ada County, Idaho. O'Connor was extradited to the Santa Clara County Jail.

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Teens testify they saw mayor having sex with 16-year-old boy during boozy pool party at her home. Now verdict is in.



Misty Roberts — accused of having sex with a drunken 16-year-old boy during a boozy pool party at her home while she was mayor of a small town in Louisiana — has been found guilty of felony child sex crimes.

KPLC-TV on Tuesday evening reported that Roberts was found guilty of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile — both felonies.

'Go fight your friend. He’s the one who did it.'

The station noted that the jury "deliberated for less than an hour" before reaching a verdict. Her sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 17. Roberts will have to register as a sex offender.

Blaze News previously reported on the initial arrest and resignation of the 43-year-old Roberts.

Roberts was arrested on Aug. 1, 2024, and charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, according to the Louisiana State Police.

Roberts — who was the first female mayor of DeRidder and was serving her second term — resigned on July 27, 2024.

In her resignation letter to the city council, Roberts explained her decision to step down by saying: "I must adjust my focus and priorities."

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office requested the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit to investigate a complaint regarding allegations of sexual relations between a minor and Roberts.

Roberts hosted a boozy pool party at her home in July 2024 during her second term as mayor, prosecutors said.

RELATED: Marriage meltdown: Mom-of-two teacher busted for alleged child molestation of student; reportedly loses custody of kids

During the seven-day trial, jurors were shown text messages between Roberts and her teenage son, with the pair discussing what type of alcohol the teens wanted for the party hosted at her home.

KPLC reported on the victim's testimony about the night of the pool party, noting that Roberts told him he "looked good, started winking at him, and dancing on him."

In his closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Charles Robinson highlighted a "lewd and lascivious photo" which KPLC described as Roberts "wearing a bikini as the teen smiles up at her."

The victim said Roberts kissed him near the pool, then led them into a room of her home.

The victim — who was 16 years old at the time — testified that Roberts removed her top, he pulled his pants down, and then they had sex.

During explosive testimony Tuesday, the victim — who was a friend of Roberts' son — told the jury he was extremely intoxicated when he and Roberts had sex, KPLC reported.

"I was kind of dizzy," the victim told the courtroom. "I had to put my hands on the couch. My eyes were just, like, closed."

The teen added, "While it was happening, I couldn’t feel my body."

"After we had sex, I kinda was realizing what was happening," the victim stated.

The boy recalled Roberts noticing what appeared to be a cell phone seen in a window of the room.

Roberts' son told the pair that someone at the party had recorded their sexual encounter on video, according to the victim.

The victim testified that a "big argument" between Roberts and her son took place, during which she said, "Go fight your friend. He’s the one who did it."

According to KPLC, the victim told jurors that Roberts "was trying to get him to fight me. She was trying to get the blame off of herself."

The boy said he was "kind of shell-shocked" and added, "I just went to my truck and sat there."

The teen said Roberts' nephew later came up to him outside and said, "What you did was kind of messed up, but it’s her fault."

According to KPLC, a 14-year-old at the party testified that he witnessed the victim and Roberts having sex. The teen told the court that Roberts "was acting real crazy" when she came back downstairs after the sexual encounter.

Another witness who was 17 at the time of the alleged incident admitted on the stand that he lied when he first told investigators in 2024 that he was asleep and didn't see anything, KPLC reported, adding that he testified Monday that he actually did see Roberts and the victim having sex.

“It just seemed the easiest thing to do was to keep up with the lie,” he told the jury, according to the station.

'I played dumb and denied it.'

Roberts' nephew told the court he believed he saw the two engaging in sexual activity based on their movements but admitted he hadn't seen any "private parts."

Roberts’ daughter testified that she saw her mother and the teen "on top of each other" on the night of the party, KPLC reported.

The victim said those who knew about the incident had a plan "to not tell anyone because it was embarrassing" to Roberts' nephew, Roberts' son, and himself.

KPLC reported that Duncan Clanton, Roberts' ex-husband and father to their two children, testified that his ex-wife told him she had sex with a juvenile, which their son confirmed to him.

Clanton added to jurors that Roberts requested that he call the victim’s family to gauge their reaction, which he said he did.

Clanton said DeRidder City Councilman Joseph Daniel Reynolds contacted him about the incident, and afterward he texted Roberts: "I played dumb and denied it."

In another text, Roberts wrote to her ex-husband, "I can’t keep hurting others, friends, and family. Lord knows I’ve done enough."

Clanton assured Roberts via text message that she was a great mom, according to prosecutors.

However, during cross-examination, Clanton was asked if his ex-wife was a great mom, and he responded, "No."

Roberts' lifelong best friend and former sister-in-law, Jill Weaver, texted her son — Roberts' nephew, who attended the party — "Lie till you die" about what happened, according to KPLC.

Weaver was asked if she instructed her son to not contact authorities about the incident: "Did you consult with him on how to keep the police out of this?” Weaver responded, "Probably."

The mother of the victim texted Roberts about the possibility that her son impregnated her, but Roberts assured the mom that she was on birth control, according to messages shown in court by prosecutors.

A DoorDash driver also informed the court that he delivered Plan B emergency contraception to Roberts' home in 2024 and left it at her front door and that a customer named "Misty C" made the order.

KPLC reported, "He said he knew it was Roberts’ house because he had brought his kids trick-or-treating there before."

The news outlet added that the DoorDash driver had "heard rumors of Roberts’ alleged crimes in the following days and believed that he had delivered the contraceptive for that incident."

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Marriage meltdown: Mom-of-two teacher busted for alleged child molestation of student; reportedly loses custody of kids



A Georgia teacher has been arrested and accused of sexually assaulting a child, police said. The teacher — a married mother of two — is now facing a divorce filing from her husband, according to court records.

Danielle Weaver, a 29-year-old teacher in Leesburg, turned herself in to the Lee County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 18 after arrest warrants were obtained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Feb. 17.

'During the course of the inquiry, investigators identified Weaver as the suspect and confirmed the alleged victim is a juvenile student enrolled at the school.'

Weaver was booked into the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Jail. She was later released on a $50,000 bond, according to WALB-TV.

Weaver was charged with child molestation and improper sexual contact by employee, agent, or foster parent, according to a statement from the GBI.

Georgia law defines child molestation as:

When such person does any immoral or indecent act to or in the presence of or with any child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person; or by means of an electronic device, transmits images of a person engaging in, inducing, or otherwise participating in any immoral or indecent act to a child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person.

Under Georgia law, those convicted of a first offense of child molestation face a minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in the statement that the Leesburg Police Department requested the GBI to "assist with an investigation into allegations of inappropriate contact between a teacher and a juvenile student at Lee County High School" on Feb. 4.

The GBI statement noted that officers with the Leesburg Police Department responded to a request from Lee County High School administrators to investigate the allegations against the teacher.

"Investigators identified Weaver as the subject and identified the victim as a juvenile student at Lee County High School," the GBI stated.

RELATED: Middle school teacher hit with 22 charges of sex abuse of 13-year-old — went from 'mother figure' to 'monster': Court docs

WALB obtained the following statement from the Lee County School System:

We, at the ninth-grade campus, can confirm that there is an ongoing legal investigation involving law enforcement concerning the alleged conduct of a former staff member who is no longer working for the district. Upon discovering the allegations, school and district leadership acted immediately to ensure the safety and well-being of students, as well as to conduct a thorough investigation.

The investigation into the potential teacher sex scandal is "active and ongoing," the GBI said. Once the investigation is complete, "the case file will be given to the Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution," according to the GBI.

According to court records reviewed by the New York Post, Weaver's husband filed for divorce a day after her arrest. Weaver's husband was granted temporary custody of their two daughters, according to court documents.

According to court filings, the husband is seeking a divorce because the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

The Lee County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office at 229-931-2439 or the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 229-759-6012. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).

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Teacher of the year arrested for alleged child sex crimes — then she's arrested on similar charges just days later



A Louisiana educator — previously celebrated as a teacher of the year — was arrested twice in less than a week following allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Christie Elizabeth Dunbar Oster, 38, of Lafayette had been a teacher at Broussard Middle School, according to an archived version of the school's website.

'The Lafayette Police Department noted that the alleged victim is a former student of Oster.'

Last September, the middle school named Oster a teacher of the year.

"Congratulations to our 2025-2026 BMS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Christie Oster," a since-deleted Facebook post read, according to KLFY-TV.

However, the Lafayette Police Department arrested Oster last Wednesday on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, according to WKRC-TV.

KPLC-TV reported that Oster was released from jail after posting a $30,000 bond.

RELATED: Former teacher of the year sentenced to 30 years in prison for grooming, sexually assaulting 2 elementary school students

But Oster was arrested a second time on another child sex crime just days later.

KATC-TV reported that the warrant was related to the previous case and that "the crime happened in Broussard, but not at the school, police say."

The Broussard Police Department "learned of an incident involving Oster and the victim that occurred within the Broussard city limits and issued a warrant for her arrest," KADN-TV reported.

Oster turned herself in Monday to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office. She was charged with indecent behavior with juveniles, and her bond on the new charge was set at $10,000, KADN said.

According to jail records, Oster was released Monday after she posted bond.

The Lafayette Police Department noted that the alleged victim is a former student of Oster, KADN reported.

Citing Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court records, KATC reported that a stay-away order was filed Jan. 5. against Oster.

The Louisiana Supreme Court states:

Protective order, restraining order, injunction against abuse, peace bond, or criminal order of protection — these are all terms used generally to refer to court orders that require one person to stay away from another person. The intention of such orders is to prevent abuse and enhance safety for the person who is seeking the court’s protection. These orders may be issued by a civil court, a juvenile court, a family court, or a criminal court.

Lafayette Parish School System officials told KATC that the Broussard Middle School has placed Oster on leave, and she's no longer listed on the school's website.

The Lafayette Police Department and the Lafayette Parish School System did not immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment.

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5th-grade teacher — accused of having 'sexual conversation' with child under 12 — now slapped with far more shocking charges



A Kentucky school teacher — who is accused of having a "sexual conversation" with a child under the age of 12 — has been hit with more severe additional charges, according to authorities.

Sydne Graf is a 36-year-old 5th-grade math teacher at Smyrna Elementary School in Louisville.

'Graf is now facing serious and shocking child sex abuse charges.'

The arrest citation obtained by Blaze News said that police determined that a "5th-grade math teacher engaged in sexual conversations with a 5th-grade student."

WDRB-TV reported that the Jefferson County Public Schools Police informed the Louisville Metro Police Department that Graf "engaged in sexual conversations" with the student during a "nontraditional instruction day" with remote learning.

"Detectives were able to review conversations between the juvenile victim and suspect," the arrest citation states.

"Screenshots and video recordings of the conversations depict images of the suspect as well as her name, Sydne Graf, displayed in the top left corner," the arrest citation notes.

According to WDRB, "LMPD detectives reviewed the conversations between Graf and the student, which included discussions of oral sodomy with the student."

Police said Graf was arrested when she attempted to pick up the young student near his home on Dec. 15, 2025.

The arrest citation stated that Graf confessed to having the "previous mentioned conversations" with the minor when questioned by police.

Graf was initially charged with procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.

However Graf is now facing serious and shocking child sex abuse charges.

Citing court documents, WLKY-TV reported that Graf was indicted on charges of first-degree rape of a victim under 12 years of age, first-degree sodomy of a victim under 12 years of age, unlawful transaction with a minor, and possession of a controlled substance on Jan. 20.

WHAS-TV referenced the arrest citation, which said officers searched Graf's vehicle and discovered hydrocodone and Adderall pills.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that Graf pleaded not guilty to all of the charges on Jan. 21.

Graf is on house arrest with a cash bond set at $500,000.

A judge ordered Graf to have no contact with minors unless supervised by another adult and to have no internet access except on her phone.

RELATED: Middle school teacher hit with 22 charges of sex abuse of 13-year-old — went from 'mother figure' to 'monster': Court docs

According to WAVE-TV, Smyrna Elementary Principal Amanda Cooper sent a letter to parents regarding the situation.

"We have been made aware that the Crimes Against Children’s Unit (CACU), JCPS PD, and LMPD are investigating an allegation involving one of our staff members," Cooper told parents.

Cooper said Graf has since been reassigned by the school, and she will not have any contact with students during the investigation.

Cooper noted that she "cannot disclose anything more at this time" because it is an active investigation.

Cooper urged any students with anxiety about the arrest to utilize the school's mental health practitioner or counselor.

According to the alleged X social media account of Smyrna Elementary School, Graf was previously involved with the school's wrestling team.

A spokesperson for the Louisville Metro Police Department informed Blaze News that there are no further updates at this time.

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