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A special education teacher from Missouri is facing criminal charges over an alleged relationship with a 16-year-old boy.
Rikki Lynn Laughlin, 25, has been charged with one count each of attempted statutory rape, possession of child pornography, tampering with a witness, tampering with physical evidence, promoting obscenity in the first degree, and furnishing pornographic materials to a minor, authorities said.
Laughlin allegedly pursued an illicit relationship with a student who was not forthcoming and did not want to engage with her. She is also said to have sent naked pictures to the boy.
According to court documents seen by Law & Crime affiliate KRCG, Maries County deputies were contacted by detectives from Phelps County Sheriff's Office who had received a tip off alleging sexual contact between an employee and a student at St. James R-1 High School, southwest of St. Louis.
Investigators have claimed Laughlin contacted the student, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, via Snapchat at the start of the school year. Police say the teacher and student later kissed in a classroom.
According to a report by KSDK, the victim said their conversations escalated quickly and Laughlin sent him nude photos and videos of herself. He said she also asked him to send nude images of himself, which he did on two occasions, as well as attempting to solicit sex from the him.
On October 14, Laughlin allegedly invited the victim to her home for sex while her husband was away. According to the probable cause affidavit, the boy "made excuses for not meeting with Laughlin because he did not feel comfortable."
Laughlin also allegedly told the student to delete the images and videos, and told him she could end up in jail. The victim reportedly deleted some of the content but also showed some to police when he came forward, Law & Crime reported.
When interviewed by police, Laughlin claimed she did not know the boy was a minor until the day before she was quizzed by law enforcement.
Superintendent Tim Webster confirmed a staff member at St. James R-1 High School had been arrested, charged and placed on leave.
He said in a statement seen by KSDK: "The District takes these matters seriously and reported allegations to appropriate outside agencies, including law enforcement. We have been actively cooperating with these agencies since the initial report. Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our students, and we do not tolerate any policy or law violations within our educational community."
Newsweek has contacted Phelps County Sheriff's Office for updates via phone.
About the writer
Aliss Higham is a Newsweek reporter based in Glasgow, Scotland. Her focus is reporting on Social Security, other government benefits ... Read more