A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER has been charged with raping a student as young as 12.
Jill Brisendine Campbell was arrested after an investigation into alleged sexual abuse from a decade ago, according to police in Alabama.
Campbell, 47, was arrested last Thursday by the Opelika Police Department for second-degree rape and sodomy, according to a city statement.
On April 15, detectives began looking into Campbell’s alleged “inappropriate” conduct.
CBS-affiliate WRBL reported that this occurred after a parent complained about the teacher.
They claimed Campbell sexually abused their child in the seventh and eighth grades at Opelika Middle School, where she has taught for more than 20 years.
On April 14, the parent met with Opelika City Schools Superintendent Dr. Farrell Seymore to discuss the accusations.
Opelika City Schools, the school district, immediately contacted law enforcement.
Investigators claimed that “evidence corroborated the [alleged] victim’s” allegations. However, the case has yet to go to trial.
She was eventually released after posting a $35,000 bond.
Campbell is scheduled to return to court on May 7.
The teacher was 37 years old when the alleged abuse began in 2015, according to WRBL, citing court documents.
According to the filings, she was accused of sexually abusing a former student for two years, ending in 2017.
Investigators also claimed that the pupil and Campbell exchanged text messages.
They also claimed that she confirmed in text messages that the alleged abuse occurred while the student was attending Opelika Middle School.
According to Opelika police chief Shane Healey, protecting students is a critical role for the force.
“Protecting our students is a top priority and a shared responsibility.
“If you have any information about this case or any other crime, we urge you to come forward,” Healey told reporters.
Opelika City Schools has fully cooperated with the investigation, according to police last Friday.
Education officials have confirmed that Campbell is currently on “administrative leave.”
They also stated that no additional information would be released to the public at this time due to the ongoing police investigation.
The United States Sun has contacted education officials for further comment.
If you have any information, please call the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705-5220.
