A 28-year-old teacher, Teresa Whalin, is accused of engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old student and later harassing him after their relationship ended. The allegations include the teacher having a sexual affair with the student and sharing explicit photos with him. It is claimed that she went to the extent of creating fake phone numbers to contact him.

The teenager reportedly faced mental health challenges after the purported relationship, which initiated in April 2023. According to an affidavit, the student referred to their interactions as “dating,” involving Snapchat messages, dining together, and spending time in the teacher’s classroom. Following the student’s decision to cut off communication, the teacher allegedly started stalking him, citing difficulties coping with the breakup. Whalin reportedly visited the student’s residence and appeared along his school route in Denver, Colorado.

Upon the student confiding in a school counselor about the alleged misconduct on Monday, law enforcement was informed, leading to Whalin’s arrest on the same day. During police questioning, Whalin purportedly confessed to the sexual relationship, sharing nude images, and using fake phone numbers to reach out to the student anonymously, believing it would prompt the teen to seek her assistance.

Whalin faces charges of sexual assault on a minor in a position of trust, internet exploitation of a minor, and stalking. She is currently detained at the Douglas County Detention Center on a $50,000 (£37,907) bond. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Whalin has been an employee of the Douglas County School District since July 2021 and has been placed on administrative leave pending investigations. The school district has been notified of the arrest and is cooperating with the inquiry.

The investigation into the matter is ongoing.