A woman who taught at a Delaware middle school was charged with rape and sexual abuse following an alleged relationship with an underage student, state police said.
Reed Messer, 42, was charged this week with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust, as well as 10 counts of third-degree rape and 10 counts of fourth-degree rape.
In December, the Delaware Division of Family Services reported the alleged relationship involving a minor and a former teacher at Stanton Middle School in Wilmington, Del., according to state police.
An investigation followed and “determined that the teacher and student had an apparent sexual relationship that began in October 2014 and lasted for approximately two months,” Delaware State Police said in an announcement Tuesday.
Messer was taken into custody from her home in Greenville, S.C., on April 26 and detained for more than a week before being extradited Monday to Delaware.
Stanton Middle School is part of the Red Clay Consolidated School District. Messer last worked for the district in November 2014, according to authorities.
“Due to the sensitivity of this case, and in consideration of the victim, only limited information will be released,” state police said.
Messer’s educator certificate in South Carolina has been suspended, the state’s Department of Education said.
“Due to the serious nature of these allegations of misconduct, Ms. Messer may pose a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of students, who may be under her instruction and that emergency action is required,” the department added.