A 28-year-old teacher, Teresa Whalin, is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student and subsequently harassing him after he ended the relationship. The allegations include inappropriate behavior such as exchanging nude photos and creating fake phone numbers to contact the student.
According to reports, the student experienced mental health challenges following the purported relationship, which commenced in April 2023. The student described the relationship as “dating,” involving communication via Snapchat, dining together, and spending time in the teacher’s classroom.
After the student terminated contact with the teacher, she allegedly began stalking him, citing difficulties coping with the breakup. Whalin reportedly went to the student’s residence and appeared along his route home from school in Denver, Colorado.
Upon disclosing the alleged misconduct to a school counselor, the police were alerted, leading to Whalin’s arrest on the same day. During police questioning, Whalin reportedly confessed to the sexual relationship, sharing explicit photos, and using fake numbers to reach the student, believing it would prompt him to seek her assistance.
Whalin faces charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, internet exploitation of a child, and stalking. She is currently held at the Douglas County Detention Centre on a $50,000 (£37,907) bond.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office stated that Whalin had been employed by the Douglas County School District since July 2021 and has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. The school district has been informed of the arrest and is cooperating with authorities.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.