A high school teacher has been charged with multiple sex crimes after Missouri police say she had a sexual relationship with one of her students.
The Nixa High School teacher, identified as Lena Stewart, was placed on administrative leave in December when school officials learned of the allegations, the school district said in a letter to parents.
Stewart was charged on Monday, Jan. 23, with statutory rape, sodomy, sexual contact with a student and sexual misconduct, court documents show.
Nixa Public Schools said it “will continue to follow board policy and procedure” as the investigation continues.
“The district will work with the appropriate authorities as they conduct the investigation and will fully cooperate with whatever they need to,” the letter to parents states.
Court records show the alleged offenses began in October. Stewart taught agricultural science and was an FFA leader at the school, where she has been employed since 2021, according to the Springfield News-Leader.
The victim was a 16-year-old student, who told authorities he felt pressured into the relationship because he was getting an “A” in Stewart’s class, according to KOLR and KY3, citing officials.
“The couple would meet at a friend’s house and Stewart would take them to a secluded spot for intercourse,” according to a probable cause statement obtained by KOLR.
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