A Louisiana charter school teacher who allegedly raped a 10-year-old student was released on bond Tuesday but may be facing additional charges.
Deidre R. Smith was charged with first-degree rape and felony indecent behavior with a juvenile after Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office received a tip from a school administrator at Lake Charles Charter Academy, the New York Post reported.
Deidre Smith, who has been released after posting $50,000 bond, declined to comment when reached early Thursday by The Post. https://t.co/h6zpBUhJUO
— Joshua Rhett Miller (@joshuarhett) May 2, 2019
The administrator told investigators that a teacher was possibly having an inappropriate relationship with a student. After investigating, authorities claimed that Smith had been having sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old student since the end of 2018. (RELATED: Former Missouri Teaching Assistant Accused Of Raping 7-Year-Old Boy, Allegedly Tried To Get Boy And Mom Killed)
Smith was booked into Calcasieu Correctional Center and released the same day on $50,000 bond. The case is still being investigated and the teacher may be looking at additional charges, according to police.
34-year-old Deidre R. Smith was arrested and is facing charges of first-degree rape and felony indecent behavior with a juvenile. https://t.co/CaSvB6PE6K
— KNOE 8 News (@KNOE8) May 1, 2019
A representative for the school claimed that the sexual relationship was an “isolated incident” in a statement.
“While we are not at liberty to discuss personnel issues, please be aware that we do not tolerate any behavior that compromises our safety standards and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement to assure a thorough investigation is completed,” the statement read. “We believe this was an isolated incident and no other students were involved.”
“If verified that teacher will be subject to termination,” the president of the school Judge Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux said in a statement. “The safety and security of our students and staff are our top priority.”