A fifth-grade teacher in a tiny town in Washington State pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges that she sexually molested a 10-year-old male student.
The previous Friday, local prosecutors filed documents detailing the single count of first-degree child molestation against teacher Lisa Davis, reports Spokane CBS affiliate KREM-TV.
Davis, 48, resigned from her job at Scootney Springs Elementary School soon after a criminal investigation began.
In late May, another local teacher informed school officials that something fishy might be going on between Davis and the unidentified fifth-grader, who was in the teacher’s reading class. (RELATED: Fifth-grade teacher investigated for sexually molesting 10-year-old boy in her class)
Detectives interviewed the alleged 10-year-old victim and a number of witnesses. They learned that Davis and the boy spent a substantial amount of time together. They had an unusually high number of phone conversations. They went to movies in other towns. Also, Davis gave gifts to the fifth-grader and members of his family.
Police also allege inappropriate touching. The 10-year-old told police in late May that Davis kissed him and touched his genitals. He said he fondled the 48-year-old woman’s breasts, too.
These incidents allegedly occurred in Davis’s classroom and at a house where a friends of hers lives. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Davis and the child were at that house while the friend was out of town, notes KREM-TV.
According to police, the out-of-school relationship came to an end after Davis’s husband allegedly telephoned the boy’s father and requested that the man’s son stop contacting his wife.
Prosecutors also say that Davis admitted to two or three dalliances with the boy. She allegedly made the admissions to her husband and her three adult sons.
Davis faces a maximum life sentence and a maximum fine of $50,000 if convicted, adds The News Tribune, a regional newspaper.
In March 2012, Davis was honored as a teacher of the month by a collaborative effort between KHQ and nearby Eastern Washington University.
She attended Central Washington University and has an unspecified master’s degree. Her annual salary before she resigned was $61,721 (as of 2011).
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