Sexting Teacher Arrest
By: Import User
Updated: August 18, 2009
A 28-year-old Michigan teacher accused of sending nearly 50 sexually explicit text messages to a former student was charged Friday with distributing sexually explicit material to a minor.
Michelle Simonson of Oxford Township was arraigned and released after she posted a $1,500 bail.
Prosecutors said Simonson sent sexually explicit and partially nude photos to a 14-year-old boy from late fall of 2008 to the end of the 2009 school year.
The 14-year-old boy was Simonson's student during the 2008-2009 school year.
The investigation was launched when the boy's mother found the messages and turned his cell phone over to police.
During a police interview, the boy told police that the texts initially started with her wanting to help him as a student, and then they became more racy as time went on.
The boy told police that he became uncomfortable with the conversations and pictures and asked her to stop.
He also told police that he and Simonson never had physical contact or inappropriate direct conversations, but parents fear the damage is already done.
"I think it's horrible," said one parent. "You know we put our trust in the teachers and they go and abuse those rights and privileges. They abuse our trust. It's wrong."
Simonson worked at Sashabaw Middle School for two years.
The school district issued a statement Friday that read, "She will be held accountable for her actions. We have an obligation to protect students. Our district has no tolerance for these types of actions."
Simonson does not have a known criminal record.
