We do have an investigation going on. Um, we have to talk to you about it at the police department. Okay. >> Are you able to reach it down there? >> So, you sent him videos of you, Matt? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Has he sent anything like that back to you? >> Not any videos. >> So, do you perform? >> Okay. >> A teacher's connection with a student should be about mentorship, but what happens when that connection turns into a hidden world of explicit messages and illegal meetups? >> Did the relationship become romantic at all? I think that there was feelings that she >> he gave you or you gave her a word. >> I perform her first and then she >> You're going to get booked into the kiddas county in [music] jail for communication with the minor for purposes. >> Is there a simple way to do this? >> These were the moments when inappropriate teachers got caught red-handed. We begin with the case of a teacher who allegedly committed her crime in the most unthinkable place inside the victim's own classroom after everyone else had gone home. [music] Do me a favor. Can you step out of the car for me? So, right has been detained. [laughter] >> On March 16th, 2025, the routine of a 30-year-old special education teacher was violently interrupted. The officer walked up to the car. [music] Inside, Christina Formula was polite, but seemed confused when he asked for her name. This calm start was the first step in uncovering a crime that had gone on for 2 years. >> Hey, how you doing? >> Hi, Officer Guzman with Down Grove. Do you have your license on you? >> Yes. >> Tonight? >> Yeah. I'm going to explain. I'm sure you're confused. I'll explain everything to you. >> Double doors. >> You're Christina? >> Yes. >> Okay. Christina, do me a favor. Can you step out of the car for me? I know you're confused. I'll explain everything to you. >> You don't have anything on you? Just you can just grab whatever you need. >> Whatever I need? >> Yeah, whatever you need. Like your phone, your your purse. Go ahead and grab it. >> Is she going somewhere or? >> Yeah, we're going to explain everything to you guys. Go ahead and grab it out. We're not going anywhere right now. Yeah, of course. Of course. Yeah. >> I don't understand what's going on here. >> I get it. Yeah. You can go grab your things. >> Can he come with me? >> Yes. Yes. >> You stay there for right now. Just stay there. But yes, you can. But come on back here. >> Should I shut the car off? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Was off. The officer explained she must come to the station. She claimed she was willing to comply, but the rules were clear. He stated that he had to place her in handcuffs. She kept asking for her husband, [music] wanting him there with her, but the officer said he would meet them there later. It was just her and the cops now. >> So, we do have an investigation going on. Um, we have to talk to you about it at the police department. Okay. >> So, we're explain everything to you there. Um, it's not my investigation. I don't know the full details. We do have to bring you there, though. Okay. >> So, I do have to put you in handcuffs and bring it to the police department. Just to down. Yes. Unfortunately. Yes. >> I'm like willing to go with you. >> I I get it. Yeah. Unfortunately, we had to do it that way. Do me a favor. We just take this off. >> Can I ask you what? >> Of course. Of course. Yeah. It's not like I said, it's not my investigation. Obviously, we are here for a reason. So, go ahead and turn around for me. >> So, right now being detained and there is a that needs to talk to you at the police department. So, we'll let your husband know he can just come to the police department as well if he wants to wait for you there. >> I'm like >> I get it. You have a lot of questions. >> So scared. >> Yeah, everything's okay. We just need to talk to you at the police department. That's all. Um, nothing else on your pocket right now? Anything else? My phone. >> Just your phone. Okay. >> Okay. All right. Ready? In the back of this car on the other side. Once you get to the police department, um, you'll talk to the detective and he'll explain everything to you. >> But you can't even give me like an idea at the moment what this is about >> other than that it's an investigation. That's all I can really tell you right now. I'm sorry. In the back of the police car, she was really worried. She asked what was going on, saying she was completely lost. The officer driving told her he could not say [clears throat] that the detectives at the station would explain everything. It was a quiet ride, but you could feel her panic growing with every mile. >> Excuse me. Is my husband coming with? >> Yes. Yeah. He's taking his phone number down. We're staying in touch with him. We're just going to Downer Grove, though. So, 10 minutes away. >> No, I know. But I really would prefer that my husband's with me. >> Of course. >> Am I in trouble? Like, I'm so I'm so lost right now. I'm >> I'm sure you are. Like I said, I can't answer any questions to tell you that right now. You're being detained for an investigation and will bring you to the police department and once you get there, they're going to fill you in on everything. >> At the station, detectives told her the charge having sex with a student. She broke down crying so hard she got sick. Her story about being framed was already falling apart. But that was just the beginning. Prosecutors said they had the messages and notes that proved it was not just one time. It was more than 45 times at school and even at her home. They said it started when the boy was 14 and continued for 2 years right through her [music] wedding. In total, Christina Formelo was now facing 52 charges. 20 counts of aggravated criminal assault, 20 counts of aggravated criminal, six counts of indecent solicitation of a, and six counts [music] of If you think that was wild, wait till you hear about the substitute teacher who let a 14-year-old boy rest his head in her lap during class and was secretly building an inappropriate relationship with him in a private Discord world the whole time. And when I came back from lunch, there was like a student like like not sitting on her lap, but his face was like on her lap. >> So, what is what is going on? [music] >> I didn't sit in her lap. >> I wasn't saying sitting, but your head was there. >> I Yeah, I was laying down. >> He had a headache, but then he laid his head out on my lap and then I just kind of left him there. >> I know there was some text I'm trying to remember um about like some like breathing through your nose, some deep throating, things like that. Um, is that something that happened when you guys hung out? >> Oh, yeah. >> On February 20th, 2025, a student's report of a 14-year-old boy with his head in his substitute teacher's lap sparked an investigation at Horizon Academy. What began as a simple witness interview was about to reveal a pattern of denial. They sat down with administrators to question the witnesses, starting with a boy named Sam. With the detective and the principal in the room, the interview began. They asked Sam to walk them through a normal day in class, but his detailed account was a wall of pure routine, a perfect story of a perfectly ordinary day, giving them absolutely nothing to work with. >> Sam, whatever we talk about in here stays in here. No one knows that you're having a conversation with us. Um, but can you tell me about yesterday >> and Mr. >> As in Miss Do you have notorious class? >> Yeah. [music] >> Did you see anything weird in there? >> No, it's just a normal class name. Again, you're not in trouble. We're just And let me let me say this. If we're asking these questions, it's because we already have information. >> Okay. So, who was sitting next to Miss Torres? >> Who was sitting next to Miss Torres? >> Um, I don't know. >> Describe him. >> Oh, he has um fluffy hair. >> Mhm. >> Uh he was wearing jeans. >> Mhm. >> That day. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. And what color top did he have on? >> What color was >> Top? Shirt? Jacket? >> Black. >> Was it just black? >> Uh I think it was just black. >> Okay. So, um and so he was sitting next to her. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Okay. So, anything was anything unusual? No, there was just chatting. >> Can I ask you a question? >> Mhm. >> So, several people have told us that they saw somebody sitting on Miss Torres's lap. >> You never saw any of that? >> I did not see anyone sitting on Miss Torres's lap. >> But you were And were you in their seventh period? >> Yes. I'm being serious. >> In both periods you were in, you didn't see anybody sitting on Missura's lap? >> No. >> Was anybody I mean, was anyone in her lap at all? >> Like laying their head in her lap? >> No. [clears throat] No. >> Okay. Talk to me about Discord. >> The what? >> Discord. >> Oh, that's a chat. Yeah. >> Okay. [clears throat] And what about it? >> Oh, we just talked to our friends. That's it. But what are you trying to ask me about? >> Have you ever talked to a teacher on it? >> No. >> Okay. Okay. >> I only talk to my friends on there. >> They brought in the next student. However, they didn't have any luck with the next student, too. >> How are you? I'm good. >> You know you're not in trouble, right? >> Yep. >> I'm good. So, um, we hear that something happened in Miss Torres's class yesterday and that maybe you saw it. Were you in there yesterday? >> Um, what period? Two periods. >> Fifth and seventh period. >> Okay. So, you weren't in there. So, do you see anything weird in there yesterday? >> No. >> No. Like, did you see kids like sitting behind her desk? by what? >> Behind her desk. >> Whose desk? >> Miss Torres's. >> No. >> Okay. All right. Good. >> What were you wearing yesterday? >> I don't know. Like a uh Oh, a white Duncan New York. Um like a like a white long sleeve with like bluish pants. Blackish. >> Okay. >> Okay. Cool. >> Um All right. You're good then. Thank you. Then a third student was called in and what he described was the moment everything changed. A glimpse of something in that classroom that didn't belong. Finally giving detectives the lead they desperately needed. >> So um some other kids have come to us and told us that they saw some things that were like a little odd for um the classroom. >> Mhm. >> Can you um share what you saw happening in the classroom? I went in there, everything was normal and I went to lunch, came back and then when I came back from lunch, there was like a student like like not sitting on her lap but his face was like on her lap and then I didn't like mind it like cuz I I wanted to do my work and I'm like h that she could deal with that and then and then when I left and then when I came back for all my work on so I went to her I was in there with another person and and I saw the same thing again, but I didn't uh think about it to me. >> Like that's weird. >> Yeah. And I'm like, you're right. It is weird cuz first of all, she's like a teacher, which >> and it's a student, so it's like not >> not normal you would see. Do you know what that kid's name is? >> No, man. >> You ever seen him before? I've seen him at lunch a few times. He has sat in front of me a few times. >> Do you know any classes that he is he her kid? Do you know? >> No, ma'am. I don't know any of that. >> Okay. Um, >> is he in either of the classes that you have with her? >> Uh, no, sir. >> Okay. So, he didn't You've never seen him in those classes with you before? >> No, sir. [snorts] >> Okay. Do you know anybody who maybe would know his name that was in there yesterday? >> Uh, no, I don't think. >> You don't think so? >> No. like none of the students >> cuz in one more period I think I can remember correctly >> but none of the students have talked with like specifically kids so I don't think they would know his name. >> So like yesterday when he was on her lap no kids were like acting like they were friends with him and they didn't know him. >> No one really talks with him in >> Okay. >> Is he a white kid? Spanish kid. >> Uh white kid. >> White kid. >> Oh okay. All right. So, will I need you to write down what you just told me, okay? Um, you're allowed to use names. You're allowed to put like any details. There's no rules. Okay. Um, you can sit over there and you can fill it off for me. Okay. And then whatever you say here, we obviously won't share with anybody. Okay. Yes, >> thank you. >> With their witness confirmed, detectives finally sat down with the 14-year-old boy at the center of it all. He admitted his head was in her lap, but played it off as nothing. What he didn't know was that his defense of the teacher would become the very evidence that exposed her. >> So, I just want to say that when I walked into the clinic, he was in there with another student that of course I know that he knows that we talked to >> and I >> thank you. >> Um, and talking about the situation with >> Yep. Okay. >> So, what's your name? Deputy Rafferty, I don't know if you've seen me around. I'm sure you have. So, um, tell me tell me what's going on. You want me to be honest? Low key, I think all of her seventh period just hates her. >> All of her seventh period hates her. >> Yeah. I don't know why, but they just This is like apparently the second time this happened or something. >> Okay. What What makes you think that? uh low key because they always be cursing at her and they don't stop and they be throwing stuff in her room and she be telling them to stop and they just don't. >> Okay. So, I guess my question is why why do you think that you're in here talking to us right now? Cuz you're not in any trouble. I want you to know that you're not in trouble. >> Um we're just trying to make sure >> I'm already filled in on this situation. You don't got to >> Okay. Well, what what what's the [music] situation? >> Oh. Uh what's it? >> My other friend told me that uh apparently she's getting like told that somebody sat on her lap or something. Okay. >> Mhm. >> Was that you? >> No. >> Or Okay. So, cuz somebody showed us, you know, a video and it it kind of looks like you. So, what is what is going on? >> I didn't sit in her lap. >> Well, I wasn't saying sitting, but your head was there. >> I Yeah, I was laying down, but like nothing weird's [clears throat] going on, man. I'm just going to be completely honest. Nothing weird was going on. >> Moreover, the boy confessed they talked daily on Discord. But as he fiercely defended her, calling her not a PO, it only proved one thing. The teacher had expertly manipulated his trust, turning a student into her defender. >> And that's you. That's her you're talking to uh on a text or Discord >> messages. Nothing. >> Is that on Discord or? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um any text messages with her or just on Discord? >> Just on Discord. >> Okay. Um so you were you were in that class most of the day yesterday? >> Okay. Um, I mean there was a lot of people in there that weren't supposed to stay in there, but um, how often do you have her class? >> Like one period. >> Okay. >> It's my fault though. I made a fake pass on there. So, >> gotcha. >> How old are you? >> Um, how often do you are you in a a private uh server with her on Discord or you in a group server? uh DMs and other stuff but like nothing weird you know. >> Okay. So there are private and group. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Who else is talking to her on Discord? >> Like um >> have you ever talked to her outside of school? >> Well, I mean on Discord obviously, but >> yeah, but no not like that. >> You've never met her outside of school? >> No. >> Okay. You ever been to her house? >> No, man. You're trying to make her seem like a pedo. Oh, no. I'm not. No, >> she's really not. >> I just There are questions I have to ask. >> She's got like a girlfriend and all. Like, if you want me to be serious, she's not doing anything weird. >> Um, >> yeah. Okay. Um, so yesterday was just you laying your head in her lap. Um, >> what were you guys talking about? >> Like nothing, basically. >> Okay. The boy kept insisting she did nothing wrong, even claiming it was his fault. But in his desperate defense, he let another damning detail slip. He revealed the substitute teacher cursed at students, an information that did not make her case any better. >> What do you guys talk about on Discord? >> We literally just play games. That's it. >> Okay. And you talk, is it like an everyday thing or how often? >> Every day. >> How often would you say? >> Like I don't know, like every two days or something. >> Okay. >> But like it's, you know, we like just play games. Okay. Um, >> do you have any questions that you want? >> Does your mom really talk to her? >> Uh, [clears throat] >> no. She probably wouldn't care. >> You don't think she would care? >> No. I mean, like nowadays it's not really weird cuz if it was someone else online, you know, and I didn't know them. Y'all wouldn't care, of course. So, it's like all I'm trying to say is it's not that weird nowadays, you know. But you know that she wasn't supposed to talk to you on Discord, right? >> Okay. >> But I'm asking, did you know that? Okay. >> All right. So, she doesn't touch you in a way that you think's inappropriate? >> No. >> Okay. >> So, you just have like an what you perceive to be an innocent relationship? >> I know you're trying to make it seem like >> No, I'm not. I wanted I >> I'm being serious. You are. You're over here like, "Oh, she's doing [music] all this." She's really not like I'm the one who asked for a Discord. Like, that's all me. She, you know, she's just being nice. It's whatever. It's whatever. She does not like kids or anything like that. I can like affirm to you it's not that weird. Like, there's other teachers here who we get who do all the same stuff and don't get in trouble, you know? Like, she got in trouble for cursing or something the other day. That's that's crazy to me because she's new. I know, but that's a normal thing. Like, y'all probably curse too, don't you? So, and there's other teachers here who be cursing at me and other kids. So, if y'all want to fire her for that and other stuff, y'all got to fire them too. Like, >> well, we would have to know that other teachers were cursing at you, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> But like, they just be hating on her. They want to snitch that she's cursing or whatever. It's a curse word. It's not that deep. >> I hadn't heard she was cursing, just so you know. >> Okay, that's whatever. But it's not that deep. Literally, like half the teachers at the school, unless they're over like 60, they're going to be cursing. I'm telling you. And there's other teachers who do the exact same stuff. Maybe not the head in the laping. That's my bad. I was hella tired. All right. You know, but like I'm being so serious. She did nothing weird. Okay. >> Um, did you did you you were going home sick? You okay? >> No, I don't feel good like at all. >> Okay. What's wrong? >> Just a lot of stuff. I feel like we're going to run, but >> Okay, >> it's fine. >> Um, all right. Well, then have you already called mom? Is she coming to get you or what's going on? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> The boy's fierce defense was a major red flag. It felt less like honesty and more like someone protecting an inappropriate relationship. As this suspicion grew, detectives brought in his mother, who immediately called the boy's legal guardian, his grandfather. The deputy laid it all out for him. The lap incident, the secret Discord chats, and the grim possibility his grandson wasn't the only victim. >> So, how much of what you know is going on? Like, >> all I know is what my daughter just told me is that a teacher is playing games with him and you guys think that he that she was trying to groom him or some crap like that, >> right? >> I just heard it from my daughter. That's exactly what I know about what's going on. So, I'll give you the the the basic rundown of what we have. So, several students reported that they walked into a classroom and they saw him with his head laying in the lap of a 25-year-old uh substitute teacher and she was massaging his head. Um he was in that classroom all day. He never changed class periods and he doesn't even have that class period. Uh he was he was called in there specifically or went there specifically for her. Um, >> okay. >> He's been messaging her on an app called Discord that we know of for quite some time. Um, >> off the phone. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um, so, uh, I'm writing it up. He he didn't make any disclosure of anything [music] to me, but it it, uh, just the way he was defending her, um, it, you know, and I've been doing this for 12 years. It it it's suspicious. Um just the the fact that he was defending her saying that she's not a you know it's not like that. [music] Um it it's very it it's very it says relationship to me. Um and which he'd be the victim of. I'm not saying he's in trouble or anything like that. Um >> this is not even this is not even like >> right. Yeah. >> Even play with an adult online. He knows better. >> Right. >> Cuz I'm like I'm like a computer geek and I want to go through his computer like a [ __ ] maniac. >> Right. So, that brings >> What I'm trying to say is if I find stuff on there with this wound on it, should I keep it? >> Well, that that brings me to the next point. So, I just talked to I'm obviously writing up a case um and it's going to be forwarded to our crimes division. Uh and the detective told me to ask you if you guys are willing for us to [music] um collect the phone, his phone, and um do a consent to search form uh where they will open the Discord and see what they can find. >> Okay. >> The grandfather was furious. He gave immediate angry consent for the search, vowing to take the computer himself. With him listening on the phone, deputies confronted the boy and seized his devices on the spot. The teacher's private digital pipeline to her student was now officially evidence. Regardless, he would be the victim. Um, obviously, this teacher is our is a suspect um in in a potential crime. Um, not to mention the fact that we believe that she's also messaging other students. Um, so is there any woman >> 25? Is there any way that you or your wife can come because I need I need a guardian to sign the consent to search form? It's an actual piece of paper. >> I I I don't have anywhere to drive. I >> I don't drive, dude. I'm like disabled. And >> are you home? I I gave my license, the DMV, and so I don't drive anymore. >> Are you home? If you want to come here. >> Yeah. So I I won't be able to leave the school. I'm I'm assigned to the school, but I can have a deputy come by and just get that signed from you. Um, absolutely. >> So, let me ask you this. Um, you know, I don't want to I don't want to muddy the waters by having her sign that form. So, I'll still have a deputy come uh have you sign it. Um, so what I'll do is I'll I if you want to stay on the phone, I'm going to go over to him and tell him that you're giving me permission to take the phone. Uh, just cuz obviously I don't think he's going to be in agreeance with that. But that's not up to him. >> I don't give a crap what he is. Right. So, >> yes, I bought the phone cuz I paid for the phone, not him. >> Right. Yep. So, I'm going to go over to the clinic real quick and then um obviously this is >> while I'm on the phone and take this all while I'm standing right here. >> Okay. Uh obviously >> and you and you can tell them I'm on the phone with you. >> Okay. And like I said, obviously this is not the end. Um you may not hear from me again. It's it's going to be a detective that you hear from because this is getting assigned to our criminal investigation division. So, I'm walking over to the clinic and um I'm just going to let him know that we're gonna take the phone and and that >> sorry I don't take his computer. >> Real quick. Do you have your phone on you? >> Yeah. >> Perfect. I'm going to take that. Um I'm on >> uh I'm going to have the phone. Okay. So, um basically we're collecting it. Um and they're just going to do a s a search of the phone. >> So, >> and I'm taking his computer. You can tell. >> Okay. So, you're on speaker. >> I'm taking until the cops come and get it and they look at it. >> Okay? >> Because I'm not going crazy finding this woman on their computer. I'm just pissed off that you even talk to an adult on the computer. >> Me and you have spoken about this before. >> We don't give our name to people on the computer. We don't talk to adults on the computer. We don't give our address to nobody on the computer. You don't do that crap. You and me have spoke about this before. What is the matter with you, son? Um, >> I'll take you I'll take your new computer. So when you call >> When detectives opened the Discord messages, the case exploded. This was no longer about a simple boundary violation. It was a blueprint for manipulation. They discovered inappropriate photos, explicit [music] videos, inappropriate drawings, and plans to hide the relationship until the boy turned 18. [music] The most shocking piece of evidence was an intimate photo of the teacher with the victim's name written on her thigh. The lap incident wasn't the start. It [music] was just the first time they'd gotten caught. This exploitation had been going on for over a year. Faced with the evidence, Torres started to explain. She admitted the lap incident happened, but spun [music] it as innocent comfort for a student with a headache. A story detectives were already prepared to dismantle. >> Why did you leave in February? >> Um, well, basically it's because of an incident that happened at school. Um, and essentially I had a child um lay their head on my lap and obviously it was against to many other things. I got in trouble for that and that's fine. And then they basically contacted me, asked for my information and then told me that they were going to open a DCF case. >> Okay. >> Um I didn't know that DCF stood for Department of Children and Families. Um it's new cuz in Philadelphia they call it something completely different. They >> like CPS or something. >> CPS. Yeah. So I didn't know. I was like, "Okay, no problem." And that's basically the gist of it. Okay. Um, were you contacted by DCF or >> Um, no. This I you guys came today. This was the very first time I've been like contacted by anybody regarding Yeah. Yeah. Cuz I I was expecting that like you're going to get a letter and you're going to get arrested and I was like okay. And I've just been waiting basically. >> Okay. Why would you get arrested? >> Um because I was having contact with like the students in class. Um they found my this discord. >> Okay. Um, and they also found my social media and stuff like that. And some of them were contacting me mostly to ask me to draw them stuff cuz they knew that I draw. So I would just send them like art and stuff like that. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Um, so this incident at the school um you said you had a child sitting in your lap or laying in your lap, something like that. >> Um, he was he laid his head on my lap. He >> he had a headache but then he laid his head on my lap and then I just kind of left him there. um wasn't sure what to do, but um I told them to get off after a while, but um it was in a class full of students, so obviously they were going to tell the >> Okay. Was it like during class or >> It was during class. Okay. >> Is this one of your students? >> Um was I don't But um yeah, I mean, from what I know, they said that they have footage and everything. So, I was like, "Okay, well, you guys have the footage, so you should have everything." >> Then they confronted her with the digital evidence. Cornered, Torres confessed they had talked about explicit acts and exchanged hickeys. Her claims of a harmless mentorship evaporated by the second. >> So obviously, you know, I have the messages from Discord, stuff like that. >> Um, and I know you guys are talking about like hickeys, stuff like that. Tell me about those. >> Um, those are mainly this is like we go back and forth and talk about the ideas of it. Obviously, he's giving me some. Obviously, I'm giving him some, which is why I mentioned the neck part. >> Yeah. Okay. So, that's what you're talking about. The neck like bruises. Okay. Those are mainly like the same. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> How many times have you guys hung out? I know you said once earlier, but how many times in real life? >> If I had to like count like count count like maybe three three times max cuz I'm not really allowed to drive my mom's car. >> And she was like, "You're going to take the car to do errands. That's fine." And then I usually do my errands and then if I have time, I go >> Yeah. >> Mhm. But not one time. Maybe three times. >> Maybe three times. >> At least at least. >> At least. >> From the top of my head. >> Where do you guys normally go? Well, we go to a hiking trail. We get out the car. We actually go hiking and then we go back to the car. Yeah. We sit there and we talk to each other. Then we get Wallace. You usually take the wall. >> Yeah. No, I believe you. Like I said, I don't think you're lying on that. I just know that we missed some stuff in the in the middle of that. >> Um, what hiking trail do you guys go on? >> No, 40 49th Trail, something like that. >> Okay. Down there by like 44 Marin Oaks area. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Cuz that's where you live. Is that where he lives too? Somewhere in that area? Yeah, he lives like in the opposite direction of where I live. >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> The confession deepened, revealing the physical reality of her exploitation. Torres admitted to multiple off-campus meetings at a hiking trail where she detailed intimate encounters in her car, transforming their relationship from inappropriate messages into illicit realorld contact. >> Any like videos that you guys have sent each other? >> Probably I've sent like maybe I don't remember what the contents are, but I know I've sent them. >> Okay. What would what would be in there like normally? Um, >> if you can guess what you would have sent him in a video. >> Probably the same thing, same content. >> Okay. >> So, >> okay. So, you sent him videos of you M. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Has he sent anything like that back to you? >> Mm-m. Not any videos. >> Okay. So, you don't have any videos on your phone? >> No, not at all. >> Okay. And all this started within the last month? >> Yeah. >> Okay. When you guys started like dating, what you would call it? >> In the last month. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Um, anything past the kissing that happened when you guys have hung out at all? [clears throat] >> Okay. Nothing. I know you said you're still virgin, so you guys have nothing. >> No, I'm just scared to ask. >> Okay. Is there like a reason for that or >> like a reason why you guys didn't >> Oh, I I just don't want to have >> any. [music] >> And like also like I have like bad immune system, so I don't want to accidentally end up passing out. Gotcha. Okay. Okay. You're feeling okay right now though? >> Yeah. I want you to pass out on me. >> Yeah. I have like bad anemia, so it's it's chilling though. >> Um but yeah, it's like like I said, like you were saying, yeah, we've touched each other each other. You'll probably like I said, you have to disc messages and stuff. So, you'll see that we talk about like pegging, which is just [music] essential. We just made mad jokes about him half the time. It's just a lot of I'm going to peg you. Oh, okay. I'm going to peg you. Oh, okay. That's basically what's actually happened in that sense. We like we like talk about it, but I'm just like it's like very jokingly like he knows there's a fine line. So, >> Gotcha. >> Even then. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um I know there was some text I'm trying to remember um about like some [music] like breathing through your nose, some deep throating, things like that. Um is that something that happened when you guys hung out? >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. So, you performed >> Okay. Um, did that happen one time, more than one time? >> Two times. >> Two times. Okay. >> Um, did he ever perform like the act on you? Did he ever Okay. >> No, he has not put any he hasn't given me oral. He hasn't like touched my insides. He hasn't he hasn't given me hickeys and he's like bitten me like crazy, but I don't like actually performed the same acts on me. >> Okay. >> And I'm not going to lie, that that kind that the idea of it kind of hurts in my head. So, no thanks. >> Okay. So, that's asks and I'm like absolutely not. >> Okay, so that hasn't happened. It's just something that you guys kind of talk about. >> Torres then delivered her most damning admission. She confessed to performing explicit inappropriate acts on the 14-year-old boy. This detailed account was the final undeniable proof of the criminal relationship she had groomed him for. >> Have you done anything else like him or like touch his >> Mhm. >> Okay. With what? Your hand. Okay. How many times has that happened? >> Maybe one time. One time for sure. >> Okay. It's always these times where you pick them up, you go to Walmart, you go to the trail head. All these happen at the trail head. >> Um, >> the the trail. Well, yeah, actually. Yeah, the trail head. Cuz I don't I don't really go anywhere else. >> Okay. Are you guys like parked in the car at the trail head or you guys just off on the trail kind of? >> Sometimes we go off in the trail. Sometimes no. One time we went off on the trail then like the other like three two three times in the car. >> Okay. So like when you perform like when it was out in the car or on the trail? >> Car I think. Yeah. >> I just didn't know because I I'm assuming people are walking on the trail. >> It's like I think like really early sometimes it's like 8 in the morning. >> Oh, okay. So, it's not super busy. >> Early in there. >> Okay. Okay. So, most incidents happen in that red SUV that's owned by your mom. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Um, anything else? >> I know we keep saying no, that's it, but then I we talk about something else more. >> You're good. I mean, if you want to bring anything else up, I mean, I can answer it. I have a bad memory. So, >> Okay. While Torres denied full intercourse, the victim's statement told a different story, alleging it had happened multiple times. With the investigation now wide open, detectives began seeking other potential victims. As for Diane Torres, she was remanded to the Marian County Jail, held with no bond to await her fate. Next up, the case of a married teacher whose affair with a student was exposed not by the school, but by his teenage girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. >> Why do you think you get in trouble? >> I believe I would get in trouble. >> Is she a student of yours? >> Yes. >> Okay. What do you teach? >> Oh, I ate the English lit. Did she like >> she clean it [music] out? >> Did I'm saying like did she masturbate you to ejaculate like at the end? >> All right. >> I love you more, which another word for love warning. I'm driving to you now. >> That was him talking or the >> Yeah. Yeah, that [music] was him talking. >> On February 6th, 2024, officers responded to a high school after a shocking discovery. The suspect was 35-year-old English teacher Damen Ki. His secret relationship with a 16-year-old student was about to be blown wide open. Officers found Damen waiting in a parking lot already suspended. In order to interrogate him, they placed him in the car. >> What's your name? >> Damian. >> Let's move down closer to my car if you want to. Yeah, if you want to move your car down over there. >> She's trying to call me. >> She's trying to call you right now. >> Take the call. >> Yeah, let's move down a little closer. Okay. So, we're we're over here out of the way. Thank you for calling us. Thank you for giving us the information you gave us. >> You say you're under investigation. Is the school investigating you or do you have like a criminal case open right now? >> I don't know if there's a case open yet, but the school is investigating. >> So, you want to leave from them? >> I was suspended today. It was suspended today. >> Yes. May I ask you a question? If I get in trouble, is there any way for me to protect my family from repercussions? >> Why do you think you get in trouble? >> I believe I would get in trouble. >> Do me a favor. Come stand over to my car, please. You don't have any weapons, anything on you, right? Anything that's going to stick me or poke me? All right. Because I'm going to have you sit down in the back of my car. I'm just making sure that you don't have any weapons. Okay. Wallet, that's all you got? I believe you. I just got to make sure there's nothing on there. Do me a favor. Just sit down in the car for a little bit. I'll give you some more information. Talk to you in a minute. Okay. I don't know what I got right now, but that's what that's where we're at. Okay. >> Officers began their gentle interrogation. The conversation in the car quickly confirmed the victim was his student. He described her as intelligent and admitted to an unusually close bond, [music] one that had clearly shattered all professional boundaries. >> Did he get antsy or >> No, I just don't want him to go anywhere or start deleting stuff off the phone. So, this is what he told me. Starts off like she's just a friend. I'm thinking the whole time. I know we all are. This is an adult we're dealing with, >> right? I thought I was to the first two. >> So, now my red flags start going off and that's why I got more reasonable suspicion. I'm going to put him in the back of the car. We're just going to we're going to have a couple more questions for you in a minute. Okay. We just need to kind of get to the bottom of a few things. Okay. That's it. All right. Trouble as of this minute, but we got to find out what's going on. All right. >> Hi. How you doing? I'm Deputy Diaz. I'm with the sheriff's office. I just wanted to confirm a few things. Obviously, you know, with situations like this, we care for the students. you seem to also care for her quite a bit. So, you know, she's okay. She's in route to the hospital, but we wouldn't have been able to find her without you. So, I wanted to say thank you for that. Okay. For our purposes, because these kinds of situations are very serious. You know, God forbid it could have led to something else. I just need to confirm a few things on your Is she a student of yours? >> Yes. >> Okay. What do you teach? >> Oh, AP English lit. Oh, wow. Okay. >> So, I know you work with the school board. I'm kind of new to the area, so you have to kind of explain it to me. I'm from up north. So you work for the public school or private school? It's school. Okay. And [music] right. How long have you worked there? >> This is my second year. >> Okay. And where did you work previously? >> Slam. Palm Beach Sports Leadership American Palm Beach. Another charter school. >> Okay. Very nice. And how long have you been teaching? >> I believe this is my sixth year. >> Okay. It's not easy. I know I couldn't do it. >> The deputy pressed on, questioning how a teacher gets a student's personal number. The story of a close mentorship began to crumble, leading to the ultimate admission. The relationship had developed mutual romantic feelings. >> Can you tell us a little bit about her? >> Very intelligent. Great teacher ahead of her about 20 in her class. >> And so she kind of confided in you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Very intelligent young girl. Okay. Prior to you know today's incident. Has she I know you said she's confided in you about different things. Just out of curiosity and I mean I get it like I said I'm not a teacher but you had her personal number and she had yours. So can you explain that a little to me? Several of my students have over the years. Okay. >> The ones that I stay close to. Yeah. >> Some of them just become really very close. >> Okay, that makes sense. And so I'm assuming, especially if they're intrigued and they're interested in the coursework and all things like that, you know, you have a built interest, they have a built interest in the subjects. Okay. At what point did you guys exchange contacts? >> Probably around September or October. >> Okay. Okay. And what were some of the things that you guys talked about? Did she tell you where she wanted to go to school? She just said she wanted to go in Spain or she was going to go to medical school. >> Okay. Okay. All right. So, fast forward to today. This seems a little bit too vague. So, I kind of want to get into the nitty-gritty. What specifically? Cuz this is a serious thing. >> People noticed that her and I were close. >> So, specifically, when these students said to her that they noticed that you and her were close, do you remember off the top of your head, you know, what it was that they were saying? I kind of want to stay there a little bit. What What do you think became out of control? And maybe it's not your fault, right? I know you're putting a lot of blame on yourself, but let's say it wasn't your fault. What became out of control? >> That's definitely horrifying. >> Okay. And as far as, you know, maybe some of the things that you said or did, is there anything that you think that led to that or contributed to that? >> No, her and I always had a good a good bond. >> A good bond. Okay. Did you guys meet up after school? >> Every now and then I would like stop by to my grocery shopping, say hi. Okay. Did you guys meet anywhere else besides her job? >> Only once or twice. >> Okay, that's fine. Once or twice. And where was that at? Was it like at a public place, private place? Where? >> It was at like a park. >> Was at a park. Okay. And uh what did you guys do at the park? >> We talked. >> Okay. I get it. This is kind of uncomfortable, but you know, I'm just curious. I have to ask. Did the relationship become romantic at all? >> I think that there was feelings that should have been >> on your end. >> On both. >> On both. You don't have to, but you know, if we're being honest, right? >> I should have I should have stopped. >> Okay, I appreciate you being forthcoming. We're not here to judge you. We just want to You understand, right? >> Moreover, inside the interrogation room, Damen also confessed to a personal relationship with the student, detailing intimate acts that occurred in his car at a local strip mall. >> Sorry, my hands are full. Do me a favor. If you uh take your foot out first and I'm going to help you out, okay? Just watch your head. All right, turn around towards the car. Perfect. Hang out right there for a second. We're going to go right this way to that door and then we're going to make this first right. Let me get us in there. Do me a favor. to sit in that chair for me and I'm going to come back in and I'm like remember what I told you I was going to put the cuffs up front. Okay, we'll take care of that. Okay, just give me a second to put all this stuff down. Okay, she gave you old you gave her a world. >> I performed on her first and then cheated. >> Okay, and where would where did that take place at? >> Where was it? Out of in the car, but where? >> Parking lot. >> Do you know? Do you remember where >> strip mall jog? >> Okay. And then you did say that she that you ejaculated and then what did she do? Like did you ejaculate on her in her mouth on her >> tissue? >> Okay. So you're saying you stopped and then ejaculated in a tissue. You didn't ejaculate into her mouth. >> She She had a tissue. >> So did what? She you eject her mouth and she spit it out. >> I don't know what got in her mouth. >> What's that? >> I don't think it got in her mouth. I don't know. >> Okay. Did she like >> she cleaned it [music] out? >> Did I'm saying like did she to ejaculate? I at the end. >> All right. But this case had an unlikely whistleblower. The student's ex-boyfriend. Burning with suspicion after their breakup. His hunch led him to a place he shouldn't have been. Her private email. What he stumbled upon was far worse than he ever imagined. >> Tell me what's going on at school. Okay, so the main parties are me like me, Alex, the victim, and then Damian Ki, our AP language arts teacher. She's my ex, right? And so I said this, we broke up around September. And then this I can't confirm at the time. I saw them getting close. And then I made note of that and like me and my friends, we also noticed that. And so we were thinking like that's kind of weird. So there's that. And then more people started noticing it. And then rumors started spreading. I don't know the validity of all of them with everything else that's come up. Maybe some of them are true. I cannot confirm. We got into an argument, me and my ex. I want to say late Decemberish, cuz she was blaming me for the rumors. Even though I wasn't doing all that, I can confirm that I was not out make all these like accusations against her cuz half of them I never even heard before. Flash forward to last night. She was popping off on me just like she was in December. >> What do you mean by that? >> Like like she was like getting angry at me. She wanted to basically cut ties between us two. >> So you guys still had a friendship of some sort or >> It was very shaky. Like I tried to like distance myself from her around this time. A while back, like when we were together, she added her email to my phone. I still get like notifications and emails and whatnot from her thingy cuz she never removed it for whatever reason. I asked her, "Why'd you unfollow me on both of those accounts, but you followed me on this other account?" Which I'm pretty sure it was like a secret account cuz she didn't want anyone to know about it. When I brought it up to her, she claimed that it wasn't hers at all. Basically, after that, she blocked me. I tried to try messaging. So, fast forward to today morning. She was like talking smack about me to other people cuz I'm 99% sure she was she was talking smack about me. Right. I saw one curious message and then I saw another one. I was aware at the time. I was aware a while ago actually. She added our teacher and I'm just shocked. And then >> are you reading these messages? >> I read a couple of them and then I just was like heck. It was like a little thingy where you can just look at every image that was sent. I saw pretty bad images of her and the um of her and the teacher in question. >> Did you share these pictures with somebody today? I did my girlfriend Na. She was close friends authority or anything. >> The first person I brought it up to was my math teacher, my first period teacher. >> Inside that inbox, he found a hidden world. It was filled with explicit photos that left nothing to the imagination and intimate messages where the 35-year-old teacher and the 16-year-old student called each other wife and my love, planning their mornings together like a secret married couple. >> This was me recording stuff on her account with the teacher in question. What looks like their initials, D for Damian, his name. This one is the teacher Damian Conti and this was in a group chat that those three were in. And so morning, love you mostly. Mia Spoha, my wife if I remember correctly. My Spanish is kind of rusty. I love you more, which is another word for love. Morning. I'm driving to you now. >> That was him talking or >> Yeah. Yeah, that was him talking. >> That was on what date? >> I don't have like all the dates for all these cuz this is me going through everything. >> Okay. >> Cuz I I I screenshotted all these within like 40 minutes. We have backup. Tes basically married now. I don't know how it works. We was married for better or for worse. We there for each other. I love you. Love you. I said that to each other. >> What did you do after you started finding out this stuff? >> I was first in shock. I was wondering what I should do and then I eventually went up to my teacher and I was like, "If I was to report this, what would I do?" We talked to another teacher about it. Went to the guidance counselor and the guidance counselor went to like the vice principal and the principal and then I talked to the school officer. >> You have a school officer there all the time? >> I think so. For AP language arts teacher, he talks like a kid. Mind you, this man has um a wife and two kids, I think. Anything that you ever witnessed or something? >> They hung out during lunch, like on one-on-one. They just be stuck together alone. >> Another student interview revealed the relationship was a poorly kept secret. The teacher was known to buy the girl gifts, ask her to dance, and spend isolated lunch periods with her while the entire school buzzed with rumors. >> There were some conversation with you. Remember that? >> Yeah. >> Tell me about it. >> It'd be conversations, but it wouldn't be like But be like friendly. Some of it might have been some of the words used. >> Some of the words used. Yes. It wasn't Well, for me, I wouldn't mean it for real. >> Did he ever ask to take you out? >> No. It was one time, but like in a room chat, but like as of like future like graduation, like hang out with friends like to take out me personally. He would never ask me because I'm not allowed to go out. >> Okay. So, he never asked you? >> No. >> Did he ever buy you a gift? >> He bought me one gift for Christmas. >> What did he buy? >> Uh Ulta gift card. >> Ultra. How much? Did he buy him anything? >> No. Did he ask for any favors from you? Favors? >> No. >> And being a close friend, a lot of times close friends talk to each other and I'm going to ask about stuff that she said she did with him. >> She did with him. >> She never told me that. >> And have you ever anything with him? No. >> Have you ever hugged him? >> I've hugged him once. >> Okay. What would that be? >> In the classroom when I was leaving to say bye. >> Was that like what kind of hug to explain it? >> Like just like a simple friendly hug and then laugh. something you would hug your mother >> like quick cut like I would I would hug >> where would his hands be >> on my shoulder [music] like here when >> kisses >> no he would do um kisses but like bye-bye but not like physical kiss now these past few days when it's the rumors started getting worse and like I could see that was like worried and stuff like that >> and that was via text via phone calls or or Instagram >> Instagram I didn't have any other contact but Instagram with it I saw her walk in her appearance test and then walk out. And then I could tell that something was serious. So I text her on Instagram and said if she was okay from what I've known today, she hasn't responded. >> You privately conversation wise, did you ever have any kind of talk about romance or any kind of relationship >> with him? No. >> No. >> Did he ever ask you out to go somewhere? >> No. He only asked if I could go to the Valentine's dance in our school for next week. So wouldn't be a woman, but I told him no. And then he asked if I could convince my mom, but I said no because my mom doesn't allow me anywhere else. Especially since the school is not close from where I live. So like she was like no school events this year. Nothing till like my senior year. So I could save up for that. Like the I didn't personally know that they had relationships. Actually, I only know they were really close friends. >> Do you think it's odd to have a close relationship being 16 and somebody being 35? >> Yeah, cuz that's double her age. While in custody, Damen received a final blow, a call from his wife. She coldly informed him she was filing for divorce to protect their children and assets, shutting down his desperate pleas as his personal and professional life collapsed. >> Hello, Steve. >> Oh, thank God. Are you okay? >> I've been trying to call you all week to see if one will help. >> I know. I know. It's It's been hard to get in contact. Are are you okay? >> They haven't given me my medicine yet. And >> Okay. >> And listen listen very carefully. Have you talked Did you talk to Lily, the attorney? >> Yes. Yes, I did. I can't talk about much, but listen. >> I know. I know. Hey, listen. We Let's be smart about this conversation, okay? I I've been in contact with Lily. I've been in contact with the detectives. Your uncle is driving down from Georgia this weekend. He's going to try to come see you. I'm going to try to come see you as soon as possible. We are all okay and we all are supporting you. Okay, that's first things first. Okay. I need to deactivate all your accounts. Is Is there anything like is Tik Tok on there and Instagram? >> I deleted my Instagram, I think. >> Okay. Okay. Listen, last thing. I started the paperwork for divorce. Okay. Wait, please don't say that. Please, >> Damian, this is not the first time we've talked about this. This is what you wanted, okay? Remember? >> Oh, no. No. Please, no. Steph, please listen to me. Please. Please let me talk. I was confused because of all the trauma and I was confused because he kept comparing you to my mother. Not what I want. You and the babies are the only. Please. [laughter] Listen. Let me >> listen. Listen. I am not taking the kids away from me, okay? But the reason I'm asking you for this right now is because I need to have access to all of our assets to protect us and make sure that our children are protected for the immediate future. Okay? [music] For whatever the consequences that you face, all of our assets are at risk. But right now, I'm asking for this divorce. I'm going to file it myself because we can't afford attorneys. And if you just accept it uncontested, then this will go a lot smoother. And this is the first step to rebuilding our future. Damen Ki was arrested on three counts of unlawful intimate conduct acts and three counts of offenses against a student by an authority figure. Next up, we have the case of the teacher who was living with a missing 15year-old boy in her home while an entire county searched for him. >> Have you seen him impaired before by any of these? >> Yeah, he was high the other night when he stole money from me. He went down to the gate. >> Who's Kylie to you guys? >> My daughter. >> Your daughter? >> Yeah. >> Okay. She doesn't know anybody named Jones. >> Now you're allowing us to come on campus and go into her classroom. Is that correct? Okay. >> On 11th August 2022, a 15year-old boy vanished without warning. No phone, money, or medication. Amber alerts echoed and deputies searched everywhere. [music] But the shocking truth of where he'd been would point to the last person anyone suspected. On 12th August 2022, the boy's desperate mother met with deputies. She explained his recent spiral. He was smoking, drinking, stealing money, and had completely changed his friend group. To help the search, she provided a recent photo of her son for deputies to use. >> Your son that took off? Yeah. And um so you said that last time he was found at those apartments uh down the street. >> Is there a friend of his that lives there or something? >> I have no clue. He's changed his entire friend group to be honest. Um he went from honors classes and a football player to >> whoever these people are. >> Whoever these people are. Um >> I know he's smoking and drinking. I've seen it on his Snapchat. >> Okay. >> Um he's been stealing from us. Um and that's what arose yesterday is he stole $100 out of my wallet. >> Okay. >> Um and he meets people down at the gate to buy. Um and he basically said, "I never want to see you again. I don't want to see dad. Don't talk to me. Don't find me. Don't call me." >> Okay. >> Um this has happened a lot with him over the summer. >> When when did he take off? Um, I want to say it was between 9:40 and 9:50 last night. >> Okay. And I know you gave a description of what he was wearing. He He's on foot, too. >> He's on foot. He's also has a gray Nike backpack. >> Okay. >> That he's had that he's carrying with him. >> Okay. Uh, we don't have a picture of him. Uh, I mean, I can find it through, you know, body camera interactions, but um, >> can I give you one? >> Yeah, give me a picture if you let me grab my phone. >> Yep. Yeah, I'll get mine, too. I'll be right back. >> Um, and like I will like I'll just I mean I want you guys to have as much information as you can. >> As the mother detailed his downfall, a darker pattern emerged. She revealed he had stolen over $1,500 and showed detectives a shocking photo from a prior incident. The boy with a severely broken nose from a violent beach [music] party stabbing. He was entangled with a dangerous older crowd and had even mentioned a trap house. Yet his current whereabouts remained a total mystery. >> There was some party at a beach in Charlotte County and there was a huge fight. >> Mhm. >> And some guy was out there kids, people. >> What was this? >> He was out there and that's what they did to him. >> Okay. >> Um so I took him to the ER. >> He broke the nose. Yeah. >> Oh crap. Okay. >> A 25-year-old. >> Okay. >> Um >> where was this at again? Uh that it all went down. >> This was in July. >> Okay. >> This was in July. And this is when he sent me this picture and said, "Mom, somebody broke my nose." >> Where was it at, though? Here in uh >> It was here in Charlotte County. >> Okay. Was it at a park or something? >> Yeah, it was at like the um the beach park down the street. >> Okay. Cool. >> Um and my oldest son is um at college and he ca and he sent him that picture. So, he came home for a week >> and that's when he text my older son, I'm at Charleston K. Come get me. >> Okay. >> And that's when he came home. We took him to the ER. We did all that. >> Okay. So, right now you you pretty much have no no idea where he could be at. That's just an idea based on where he was found last time. >> Uh and that's when he was found with Devonte, right? This Devonte guy. Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, that all went down a couple weeks ago at the >> Mhm. >> at the park. Uh >> yeah. >> Down the street. And is this the the longest he's done this for that he's taken off or? >> Um, no. But we had a really long conversation that school's in session. Um, he had told us over the summer when we didn't hear from him for a couple days that he was at a trap house. No clue what that is or what goes on there, >> right? >> Um, you know, we definitely don't do anything like that. >> Yeah. >> So, I I I don't know. I know he's with the older crowd. All his friends that he used to hang out with from football, he's just kind of push them to the side. >> Okay. Which is the crowd he should be hanging out with by right now. Or at least that should be his friend group. >> He timeline was critical. He'd stolen cash and vanished in minutes the night before. His mother had driven around known hangouts to no avail. >> So you say he he does drugs and alcohol. Have you seen him impaired before by any of these? >> Yeah, he was high the other night when he stole money from me. He went down to the gate >> and I'm sure he bought >> Mhm. Okay. >> And this isn't the first time he stole from us. I mean, he stole over $1,500 out of our safe. >> Wow. Okay, that's big right there. Yeah, you should have I mean, and I know as a parent, >> you probably try to avoid getting him in trouble, right? >> But I know press charges. >> Yeah. Other parents are just like, he stole from us. He needs to learn his lesson. But then again, you sit there and wonder what what that'll do to his long-term chances in life, >> right? And you know, that's my whole thing. But then, you know, it was that money and then it was my daughter's babysitting money and then it was another $100 for me. And literally, I came home last night from my daughter's cheer. I put my purse on my counter cuz I had been leaving it in my room. >> I went to the bathroom, washed my hands, and in that that instant, >> that's how quick that's how quick he was. >> And the only reason I know is cuz I took my daughter to the store to get a sketchbook for school and it was gone. So, I had 126 and the 100 was missing. >> Okay. Do the same. Um, I'm going to go and see if we can locate where he could be at. So, and you haven't driven to the Charleston K place, right? cuz you don't know exactly where it is. >> I don't I mean I know where it is. Like I'll be honest. Um I just drove through there like around the parking lot just to see if I recognize a car that might have been here to pick him up or if he you know was walking around, but I didn't. And that was, you know, 30 minutes ago. >> Okay. So >> after I dropped my daughter off the chair, >> you don't you don't know of any of of his uh friends or a girlfriend or anything like that. >> For 3 days, the search intensified, leading detectives to a specific name by August 15th. On August 15th, detectives followed a lead to a home, asking about a girl named Kylie, who was reportedly with the missing teen. Her father was evasive, claiming she wasn't home, and he didn't know where she was. A nervous reaction that raised immediate red flags. >> Um, you guys know he >> What about a uh Kaye Resin? >> Kylie Resin? >> Yeah, Kylie. >> Kylie. Okay. Who's Kylie to you guys? >> My daughter. >> Your daughter? >> Yeah. >> Okay. She doesn't know anybody named Jones. I don't. So, I've never heard of >> She's not even home right now. >> She isn't? >> No. >> Do you know where she's at? >> No, I don't. Maybe she's at work or something. I don't know where she went. >> How old is she? >> She's about to be 18. >> Okay. But you think she's at work? >> I don't know where she is, actually. I don't know. I tried calling her earlier, but she didn't answer. She's not home, though. >> Yeah, I've never heard >> I've never heard of them. I mean, heard of all kinds of [ __ ] there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. He's He's currently missing. He's been missing for about 4 days. >> Yeah. Not here. >> Okay. The information that we got was he might be with her. >> Yeah. She's not here. >> Okay. Where does she work? >> She works with me and at Dunkin Donuts, but I don't know. I don't I honestly She wasn't home last night. So, >> which Dunkin Donuts was at? >> Uh one over here um on uh what is it? 41 or whatever. >> Is it in the gas station next to the subway? No. >> Is it down south of Midway? >> It's right across the street from Republic. >> Yeah. Hancock next to Rim City. >> Yeah. Yeah. Where Rip City used to be. Yeah. >> Yeah. She's on home. She wasn't home last night either. So, >> she was staying by her girlfriend Briana. So, >> Okay. If you guys hear anything about him or whatever the case may be, give us a call. Okay. >> All right. Yeah, I'll I'll try calling her. >> All right. Sounds good. Thank you. >> The investigation took a drastic turn. Detectives arrived at the school to speak with the principal about a teacher, Kelly Simpson. They informed him they had a warrant to search her classroom for evidence related to child custody tampering and possibly more serious charges. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. I'm Sergeant Curry with criminal investigations. >> Um Corporal. >> Hi, >> Martin with criminal investigations also. >> Unfortunately, we're here because of one of your teachers. Yes. >> Uh Kelly Simpson. Um, this is reference to case number 2208-007110 0 where she was tampering with child custody. Um, we have reason to believe that she may have um evidence in her classroom to support said charges and possibly other charges. >> Okay. >> Student. >> All right. >> Um, that being known to you, uh, you're allowing us to come on campus and go into our classroom. Is that correct? >> Okay. >> All right. Um, so what I said is we've moved her class. We have a sub in there. Is everybody in the center? The door is locked. So, um, as my one of my SRO's going with you, or do you want me to go to unlock the classroom or >> uh, just as long as somebody can somebody stand by with us, that's all. >> Yep. So, that's good. And those nobody should be back in there until you're done. >> Okay. >> So, >> all right. Thank you very much. >> What they found there gave them the probable cause to arrest Simpson. They placed her in a patrol car and formally served the warrant for her residence detailing a search for electronic devices and any proof of her crimes. The educator who had harbored the missing boy was now in [music] handcuffs. >> Bas going to read off the search warrant to just so you know what's going on. All right. Case number is 2271 0. Suspect's name. that the defant has probable cause to believe and does believe that the property connected with above listic crime crimes is currently being contained, stored or concealed within the following location. The residence located at 1390 Maker Street, Portar, Florida, zip code of 33952. The suspect's residence of, as I stated before, 1390 Maker Street, Portsaw, Florida for zip code 33952. The property software are any and all electronic devices used to facilitate communication between parties for full forensic downloads which may include cell phones, tablets, computers, etc. Ring security cameras for full forensic download. Any and all evidence of the crime committed to include receipts, papers, pictures, and additional license plates, etc. All right. And next, you can do whatever you want to do with this paperwork. All right. >> 221 should be in route to you. >> Oh, yeah. We just have you step out the way. You can bring your water too if you want. >> 227 for now to O'Hara. Do >> you have anything in your pockets or anything like that that I need to be concerned about? >> Um, I have a vape. >> Okay. Is it just the paper copy of the uh search warrant they provided to you and the car key? Just go ahead and leave your car key on the seat. Um, vape is okay. Yeah, just take it with >> Yeah, >> I'll take that. Um, >> yeah. And then I'll take it and we'll just come over here to the passenger side of the mark park. in here. Have a seat. >> Is that a piece of gum that somebody put in my gun? Yep. >> Nice. The former Charlotte County teacher pleaded no contest to interfering with the custody of a young person. She was sentenced to 5 years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and is permanently banned from ever working with children again. Next up, we have a fourth grade teacher who tried to book a hotel room for a 13-year-old he met online. >> Reason to believe that you've been in communication, uh, inappropriate communication [music] >> with a 13-year-old child that lives in you didn't communicate with a child. [music] I never met with her and I never intended to. >> I've been booked >> for inappropriate communications, [music] but I have done nothing. >> In August 2025, detectives ran an undercover sting, posing as a 13-year-old girl named Clare, who lives in Ellensburg. They posted an ad online. It wasn't long before a 42-year-old man named Ross took the bait, kicking off a disturbing exchange that would lead them straight to his school. The undercover detective, as Clare, expressed fear and hesitation. [music] But Ross was undeterred. He suggested meeting at the Comfort Inn in Ellensburg and began negotiating prices, $1,000 for an evening, even offering more for a whole weekend, proving his intentions were far from innocent. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] [music] >> When Clare reminded him of her age, Ross' response was chilling. Instead of [music] running, he revealed his own profession and doubled down, using manipulative language designed to lower her guard. The confession he made in the next few texts would become the most damning evidence against him. [music] Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Armed with evidence, detectives arrived at Lake Roosevelt Elementary. They found Ross doing administrative work and immediately placed him under arrest, leaving him stunned in the middle of an empty school. >> Hi there. Are you Mr. Ashen Palter? >> Hi. >> Are you Mr. trash filter. >> Yeah. Hi. >> Hey, I'm Detective Hoffman, Sheriff's Office. >> Yeah. Hi. >> Right now, I want to tell you you are under arrest. So, do me a favor. Stand up. Put your hands behind your back for me. >> Excuse me. >> Right now, you're under arrest. >> Okay. >> Here, this is Detective Sinclair right in front of you. >> Yeah. >> He'll explain kind of what's going on. >> All right. >> Sure. >> Um, I have reason to believe that you've been in communication, uh, inappropriate communication, okay, >> with a 13-year-old child that lives in >> Okay. >> Detectives used a clever ruse, not revealing they were Claire. They told Ross the girl had told her mom about a teacher, and their investigation led to him. As they read him his Miranda rights, Ross declined to speak, choosing silence over an explanation. >> Apparently, you told her at some point last week that you were going to come meet up with her >> and she um and then you didn't. So, she told her mom that she'd been talking to a teacher. We did some investigation and found out that that teacher was cheating. >> Okay. >> So, that's why we're here. >> Okay. >> Okay. any weapons or anything on you, sir? >> Uh, no. >> No. >> Um, I would like to talk to you a little bit about um what's been going on. Um, see what your mentality was, >> why you did or didn't show up in Ellensburg. Um, I'm I'm relieved that you did not. >> No. >> Um, but um I would still like to talk to you about that because it is something that she said was an ongoing conversation for quite some time. >> Um, and um, >> and we have all of those text communications between you. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. >> So, right now, I want to make sure you know that we are recording. >> Okay. >> Right now, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in the court of law. >> Okay. >> You have the right this time to talk to a lawyer, have him present with you while you're being questioned. You got afford to hire a lawyer. Want to be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish. You decide any time to exercise these rights, answer your questions, or make any statements. You understand the right deal? >> Yes, I do. Uh, no statements. >> No statements. Okay. >> Assuming this is going to be important, we're going to want to take this with you. >> Okay. [music] Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. What's the process? >> So, like like Detective Sinclair said, he he'd likes to speak with you, but of course, you have the right to not speak to anybody if you don't want to. >> And he's decided not to. >> He doesn't want to make any statements right now. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um >> so, what we'll do is um these guys will transport you back to Ellenford and you're going to get booked into the Kittas County Jail for communication with the wall purposes. >> Breaking his silence, Ross asked for a simpler resolution. Denying any meeting or intention to [music] meet, the detective shut this down, reiterating the severity of the felony charges based on his explicit steps to arrange a meetup with a child. >> Is there a simple way to do this? >> Like how? uh sort of booking and >> well it's a class C felony and we take communications and the potential like you took some pretty good steps towards [music] um wanting to have with a child. >> So that's a big deal to us. >> Um it should be a big deal to you. >> Yes. Yes. [music] >> So I guess I'm I'm failing to understand what how you would like to simplify things. >> Uh it did not happen. So, >> you didn't communicate with a child. >> I never met with her and I never intended to. >> No, I Well, >> okay. >> I don't want to ask you any questions because you've asked you've said that you don't want to provide a statement right now. Um, I would like to know more of what [music] your version of Vince and your and your side of the story is. But, um, >> until you decide that you kind of want to wait here right and have that conversation, I really can't ask you any questions. Okay. >> Okay. So, I I have to go to Elden. [music] Yes. >> How long is this process? >> Um, you'll go to court tomorrow and then bail will be [music] set. >> Am I going to prison? >> Uh, I that's out of my wheelhouse. That's not anything. >> I mean, jail. Do I need to stay the night or [music] jail? >> Yeah, you'll Yeah, you'll have to see a judge before um you'll have to go to an arraignment or probable cause hearing for [music] the judge to determine that there's probable cause and then he'll set a bail amount. And um basically if you do bail out some criteria that [music] you have to follow and one of them is probably going to be that you don't have any contact with children. >> Okay. [music] >> So you probably won't be allowed back to the school for the foreseeable future. >> Okay. >> At least until your case is adjudicated. >> Is there any way for you know I'm not going to run and I'll show up. Is there any way to not need to go all the way to Ellensburg? >> No, we're going to Ellensburg today. >> Okay. Like I said, I I've read all of the text communication between you and this child, and >> it's highly inappropriate for any adult to have um with the child, let alone a fourth grade teacher. >> Okay. >> As he was led away, the teacher's focus turned from the crime to his comfort and reputation. He questioned the handcuffs, worried about his students and pleaded to be taken out a back door. In the patrol car, his panic showed through as he fredded over his sweating and the air conditioning, his professional facade completely shattered. >> Do you have any more questions for me? Uh, is it necessary to handcuff me? I'm not going anywhere. >> With Yeah. Right now, when we get to the car and you're sitting down, we'll move to the front because it is a long drive and they getting kind of stuck behind your back. But our policy requires us to have people in our car in handcuffs. >> But they will be moved to the front of your body. >> Yeah. But we'll move to the front so it's not you're not sitting on the whole time. >> Okay. Let's uh let's head down to the car. >> The search warrant is it does include your car. We're going to search >> Well, my students will not be ready for tomorrow. >> Okay. Um, the chief's going to contact the superintendent [music] and let them know. >> You have my phone? >> Yeah, >> it's in there. We're going to serve a warrant on it. >> How far away are you medic there? Cuz she's union rep. >> I'm going Ellensburg to be booked. >> Okay. >> Uh, you probably want union rep for service. [laughter] >> Okay. >> Little little shock right now. I'm going contact my brother. >> And what do you want me to write that down? >> I've been booked. >> Okay. >> For um inappropriate [music] communications, but I have done nothing. So, >> okay. >> How long is the booking process? >> It depends on how busy the jail is. [music] Typically pretty quick, though. >> Okay. Can I stay overnight or get released? >> You'll stay overnight. >> Okay. Online communications. want to avoid it. [laughter] Yeah. Not good. Not good at all. >> I prefer that way to see less people potentially. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'd want anything. >> Excuse me, sir. I'm sorry. I've just u personal request. If so, okay, please, you know, I'm really sweaty. Is it possible I take off my uh sweater? >> Oh, thank you, sir. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. You guys very professional. I appreciate that. Thank you. I'm just sweating and I Thank you. I was just sweating a bunch. I was like, should I ask or not? >> No, no problem at all. >> Thank you. I just sweating a bunch. Like, should I ask? >> You're right in the right in the sun. You want me to close this back up and try to get the AC going? >> Thank you. Yeah. Thank you, sir. >> Ross Ashenfelter was arrested and charged with communication with a young person for immoral purposes, a class C felony. He posted a $100,000 bail and was released. He has pleaded not guilty in Kittas County Superior Court. His trial was scheduled to begin on January 14th, 2026. Next up, the case of the teacher who didn't just cross a [music] line with a student. She was allegedly caught kissing him right inside the school. >> Here's a search warrant. Like I said, you got a copy cuz I know you guys have a Facebook together. >> Facebook? Yeah. >> So, are you 15 years older than? >> Yes. >> Do you both know who you're talking to? You're talking to >> On November 11th, 2024, in Estanzia, New Mexico, a substitute teacher was caught in a place she should not have been. 33-year-old Michaela Ford was found intimately hugging a 15-year-old student on middle school property just days after a video surfaced of them kissing. School officials confronted her and immediately called the police. This was the moment her secret life began to unravel. After being caught with the student again, Michaela was confronted by school official Miss Sims. Police were called and the school official showed them the video and told the whole story, including other information. >> I stood over here and she Do you know where our time clock is? >> No. So, right outside this door, right where Leonard sits, the time clock's right behind here. So, I walked out and stood there while she did and it said thank you and timed her out while the boy was waiting for her >> outside. >> No, he came into the office. >> Oh, really? Okay. >> And she was like avoiding any eye contact. No. He's looking at me like and I'm like, well, that's And Leonard was sitting there and we're like, there she goes. Let's make sure she leaves. >> And you said there was two videos. >> So, that's the one I saw. That's all I knew as of that day. And I called Dr. Sims back told her I had this and that she clocked out. >> Okay, sounds good. >> That's what I knew from that was whatever day that was Wednesday. >> Yeah, they and they had told us that you disclosed everything. So >> Mhm. I That's what I knew. >> And then this is today. This is today. I haven't seen this cuz I've been doing this other stuff. >> Okay. Do we know if what she drives or anything? Do you know? >> I do not know at this point. >> I saw [snorts] her husband in a >> like a Chevy or F-150 pickup truck. Okay. >> I have a P. Do you know what he looks like? >> Do you know what? >> I've got a picture of him whenever they were doing the Halloween stuff for the yearbook. He was shaking Trump's hand, which was Mr. Lovato. So, I have that one. This This >> the saddest part was that the victim she chose had his father die last year. Uh, I asked before, but uh his um guardians his um >> I don't know >> foster parents. >> I I know that when his dad it still says his dad in power school and his dad died last year. So, I I I know he was married to a lady that was I I don't want to use the word abusive, but it because it was never when we did CIF, I don't even remember if the counselors did CFD stuff at that time because they came in to talk to us and we couldn't tell like he he's he's a difficult kid and she had a short temper cuz she was the stepmom. I don't remember that outcome of that. But when the dad died, I don't know if he just was going to stay there with the stepmom. I don't think she I don't know if she had custody of him or what. I have no idea. >> Okay. >> Furthermore, Sims revealed that during their confrontation, Michaela panicked and desperately pleaded for her to tell no one. >> She never wanted to articulate or explain the video, right? She just said, "Don't tell my husband. Here's my cards. >> I just can't get in trouble for this." And I just I I I said, "You're you're aware that this is illegal. You're aware that this potentially is a felony. You're aware that" And she was like, "I just don't want I just don't want to be in trouble." And I told him not to talk to me, but he started talking to me. And I'm like, "Well, you can't work here." >> As a result, the next day, November 12th, police arrived at Michaela's home with warrants. At her doorstep, they gave her a tense ultimatum. Cooperate with handing over her phone or they would execute a full search. >> Hello. help you. >> Yeah, we're looking for Michaela. >> Michaela? >> Yeah. >> Hannah, come here, baby. >> Hello. >> Hi. Can we speak with you? So, I'm officer Aragon. This is uh my sergeant Duran here. Um, we just need to speak to you. >> Okay. >> Okay. Who is this? >> This is my aunt/mom. >> Okay. Would you want her present or >> should we go back inside? This doesn't matter. >> Okay. >> Don't worry about it. Okay, I got him. You need the um check. >> Do you know why we're here, Michaela? >> I think so. >> Why? What? >> I think it might be something to do with what had happened at the school. >> Okay. Um >> I'm correct. >> Okay. Yes. So, before we continue, do you have your cell phone? >> No. >> Where is it at? >> Uh in the house. >> Can you go get it for us? >> Uh why? >> Okay. So, we need it. It's for the investigation. Okay. So, if you cooperate with us, I know you made a comment to the principal that you don't want your husband to find out. Is that correct? >> Well, I'm going through a divorce. So, yeah. No, he knows what's going on cuz I already told him. >> Okay. So, this could go one or two ways. Okay. You could cooperate and give us your cell phone or I could pull the search warrant from behind my back and we're going to go in and get it. >> Okay. So, >> we're going to search the whole house. We don't we don't want to have to do that, but we're able to. Once they had the phone, the officers immediately revealed their true purpose, stating they had video evidence of her intimacy with the student and placed her under arrest. This triggered instant chaos [music] as a family member intervened. So, here's a search warrant. Like I said, you have a copy. >> Okay. >> So, here's the other thing. Um, is it password protected? So, you could give us the password so we could go through do our investigation or we're going to take it to the FBI building and get it dumped either way. So, we're going to go through it. It's if you want to cooperate, try and get it back quicker. >> I can unlock it really quick if you don't you guys don't mind. >> Which is >> We're just looking to make sure nothing's being deleted. Okay. >> No. >> Okay. >> Do you want me to I was >> I'm going to put it in airplane mode. Look. And I'm going to >> I was just going to unlock take the passcode really quick. >> Can you just give us the passcode? >> I can just unlock keep it unlocked. >> Okay. So, at this point, we have to preserve any evidence, anything we're looking for in our investigation. Okay. >> You can watch me do it. I promise I won't delete anything. I will do it from this pretty much. >> All right, Michaela. So, before you say anything else, okay, I'm going to be transparent with you. We have a warrant for your arrest. >> Okay. >> Okay. For it's uh contributing to the delinquency of a minor. >> Okay. >> Okay. We got you on video, you guys kissing, being intimate. So, I'm going to need you to stand up. Okay. >> Shoes. Let's get you some shoes. >> Get some shoes. >> Oh, you can't go back inside here. >> Okay. Can I Can I get them for me then? >> Yeah. Yeah. You open my door one more time. You do not have a warrant. It has not been served for me. >> Not for me. Calm down. Get him back or I will arrest you. >> Get out of my face. >> Why are you in my face like that? >> And he assaulted my back. >> We have a search warrant for your house. >> Oxygen incident all. >> I'm not stopping. >> You're upsetting my entire >> in your face. >> Yes, you were in my face. >> I was at my door and I never left my door. >> And I didn't even open your door. I'm trying to ask you to get her shoes and you're acting like a fool. We're trying to get her shoes and do this calm, but why are you escalating this? >> Female officers against one. What did I show you? We had a search warrant. >> Will you grab her shoes? >> Yeah, >> we have a search warrant. You wanted >> We are intimidating. >> Not intimidating anything female. >> So, you were not intimidating when you stepped up to my sergeant. >> He knows me. I've had >> diabetes once. I don't even know you. >> I'm old. I'm on oxygen. I'm diabetic. >> Mom, anything to help me so we can get out of here? We just need some shoes for her. >> When reached at the police station, Michaela agreed to talk and she told the officer that she used to talk through messenger. She launched into a prepared story, portraying herself as a compassionate mentor to a troubled orphaned student, [music] claiming she saw him only as a brother. >> Having these rights in mind, do you want to talk to us? >> Sure. >> Okay. So, let's go inside where it's warm and then uh we'll figure that out. Okay. Um, real quick, now that I read that to you, like I said, transparency and honesty goes a long way. Is there any other means that you guys were communicating like laptop, email, Facebook? Cuz I know you guys have a Facebook together. >> Facebook. Yeah. Uh, we did communicate a couple times, but >> was it through Messenger or what? Through >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> It's all on me. >> Okay. All right. Okay. So, was it like um was that like a good time of day for him to like vent to you? Was lunch? Is that when you guys would like meet and talk and stuff? >> Meet and talk at lunch. Um if I was at the high school, he would come and see me with a bunch of kids in the class cuz I would always sit in the classroom, whomever I was um subbing for just because I don't really have a car. I don't I walk to him from places. So I'm like there's no way for me to do anything. >> Yeah. >> And so I just sit in the classroom and I would, you know, just be on my phone um talk to my husband when I could. >> Okay. >> And or he'd come and talk to me. Like I said, it's Tuesday with a bunch of kids in the class, not ever alone. I always make sure it was in a public area if I could, just so that way there wasn't any questions, >> okay, >> about me dating a student, which I'm I'm not sure. To me, I think he had like one friend that I don't think he really talks to. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. Um, >> is that what kind of gravitated you towards him on wanting to help him out? Yes, in a sense because I again I was like that as a kid. Um just because I knew that being lonely doesn't always help and having somebody to talk to does. >> Okay. Do you think that's where you two got a pretty deep? Um >> no because I >> like emotional connection was because you guys both have experienced loss or >> it could What do you think? So let me ask this and and I'm not trying to say you're wrong for whatever reason cuz that's not what drew you to him. What what made you >> him not having a whole lot of people to talk to? Um I >> Do you felt like you were taking on like um like talking to him? What kind of role would you say you felt like you were trying to >> or or you were helping him? Was it like a sister role? Was it a mother role? Was it more like a girlfriend? >> Sister sister sisterly role. Um just because mom's just that's a little weird. Um especially since I didn't know how he felt about um his own parents or his step parents or his adopted parents or whatever they are at this point. >> Okay. >> Um so I was just trying to be more of a sister. I would normally call him like my adopted brother just because I didn't want people to think we were deemed that we weren't cuz he did talk to me a lot. >> So would you tell other people that you guys were adopted? >> Adopted just that way it wasn't like super weird and uh that he was more like my brother. And I explained that to the principal too. It's like I only I only see him as a brother. Um anything. >> However, the officer quickly saw through her lies, specifically questioning why she had begged the principal to keep it from her husband. >> When you said that day you went um you realized that you didn't want to work for the schools anymore because of your divorce. >> Um it was mostly from my divorce because during like the mid portion of the day, the morning/mid portion of the day, I just kept like thinking back to that. I wasn't really there. I was more dealing with my own stuff than >> okay >> and what it will affect with my kid and stuff like that and so my mindset wasn't already on the kids and for me that's not okay. The kids should come first >> in that situation. >> Um so what was the conversation between you and the principal then? >> So I told the principal that I understood what she was what she was talking about and I was like it it was not supposed to happen. um when he did it, I was just really like taken by surprise cuz he's never expressed how he felt about me in that way. And I did put boundaries in place and that it was never supposed to happen and that I was leaving >> cuz I was not comfortable and I didn't want it to happen again. I didn't want to be dragged to jail. >> Yeah. >> Um and stuff like that. And I told her that it was mostly because I was not in the right mindset cuz I was dealing with my divorce. And then she then she called Miss Annette to see if she could take my badge. my badges badges and I could walk out and go on for the day. >> Um, you uh she stated that you made a comment that you didn't want your husband to find out or please don't tell my husband. >> I I said that cuz I I was going to go tell him. I tell my husband everything. >> Okay. >> Um I just didn't want her to call my husband and you know surprise him with all the information. >> Okay. just because my husband is, you know, more protective of me than he should probably be sometimes and I didn't want him to go do something he would regret later. >> Adding to her story, she told the officer she didn't mind the kiss and was just trying to help. One of many falsehoods she would offer. >> So, the the kiss didn't concern you. It was more of >> of why why I wanted to know why he did it, but I didn't want to ask him directly. >> Okay. >> I don't think we I will ever find out why, which is fine. Do you think you put yourself in a spot that welcomed a kiss? >> I probably did just by being kind and trying to help somebody if he really needs it. Honestly. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I don't think nobody's questioning that he needs help, right? I think R could all agree that he needs help for sure. >> I just was trying to be that person to be there. >> When pressed about inappropriate pictures [music] or chats, Michaela's story began to shift repeatedly, clearly signaling her guilt to the investigator. >> Um, any inappropriate pictures? >> No. Were there any scent? No, >> cuz you know we could retrieve all that, right? >> Well, I Michaela. Okay. >> I think I might have sent him one that wasn't appropriate, but it wasn't meant for him. I did delete it afterwards just because I didn't see um anything strange going on. Um it was not meant for him. It's meant for my husband, but um I think that might be the only thing. >> Okay. And was any return from him? >> Not that I'm aware of. Again, I didn't I didn't notice just because I don't keep track of everything. >> Okay. So, >> you know, this isn't my first day in law enforcement, right? Okay, >> that's what I was saying. I don't know if there was any that was I don't open. >> That's fine. What was the picture that was accidentally sent to her? >> Uh, just me of my without my shirt. Knowing her phone held the undeniable truth, the detective then gave her a final opportunity to confess, warning that honesty would look far better than the explicit messages he was certain to find. >> If you're honest with that, right, you see how good that looks compared to us having to go out that way. And that's what we're going to use. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Like I said, I don't remember if he commented on it or anything like that. Again, it was not meant for him. And I know I sent it through messages, but I don't remember >> if um commented or anything cuz I kind of just like stopped answering my phone at that point. And if I did, it was later. >> Um and I feel like, you know, I think you kind of I wouldn't say maybe you necessarily trust me, but I think you know I'm treating you with respect, right? >> And I'm just like I said, I'm just trying to be as honest as I can really be. Again, I don't remember all I've said to him. You know, Michaela sent a message saying that, you know, I like to do oral or whatever. >> Yeah. Like I said, it will be in first place, >> but then I want to put but she was talking about doing this with her h. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. And like I said, I don't know all I said and most of it should have been for my husband um at that time. It should not have been meant for him, things like that. I just don't remember what I had said to give you a completely honest answer to that question. >> And that's fine. Right. And and I just wanted to give you that chance to talk about that because you know after this point when I go through the phone it's just whatever I find. Could there have been a physical interaction that you just don't remember because of all this stuff you're going through? >> Could be. I would say could cuz I guess not to remember everything. And if you can't remember anything, what would be the physical interaction that you would >> touching? >> Touching maybe his hand or >> touching >> like his shoulder or something. >> What else? >> That's about it that I can think of, but again, I'm not sure. >> Okay. >> I'm going to be honest. I'm not sure cuz mentally I have not been here. I'm going to be completely honest. >> So, is there a chance that he could say you guys had and you just don't remember having it? >> No. >> No, >> I would remember if I had. >> Okay. And what about seeing each other's private parts >> again? >> Is there a chance? >> Right. There could have been a chance that he saw or he sent me something, but I would not. >> Okay. >> At this point, Michaela became frightened and confused upon learning that all her deleted messages could be retrieved, [music] exposing a truth far worse than anticipated. >> Professional. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Just so I know what the light means. >> Uh, we take it to the FBI building. anything that's deleted, anything that's, you know, archived, whatever, it all gets dumped on the hard drive. We could see everything. Deleted messages, deleted pictures, deleted accounts, everything. That's why when it's on here, right, looks better than us having to go and dump it. We still get what we wanted. >> And I said, I don't remember deleting most of my stuff, but I do I know I do it a lot when I'm, you know, emotionally here. So, >> I just I think it's just an automatic thing I do. So, I will be up to bed. >> Okay. >> The officer tried one last time for a confession before examining the phone. She continued to deny everything. >> I know you guys have. >> That's very clear. >> Okay. >> So, at what point was that initiated and who initiated it? >> We haven't had the thing. We haven't figured out. >> Okay. >> Confronted with the inevitable, the detective began reading the actual text exchanges from her phone. The loving, explicit, and spousal language completely destroyed her sisterly facade. >> Are you 15 years older than him? >> Yes. >> I'll be honest. I was born June 1994. >> The next day, she went back and did something she was not supposed to. She kissed him like nothing else, then laid and then led to them having his bed. >> Again, it's how I was feeling at the time. >> That was all they both needed. They were perfect together. And like I said, I haven't been laughing about all here and I could just be expressing how hot and about the husband and like I said that that was just a drop. >> So So we both know this isn't about your husband. Okay, that's I I'm giving you a lot of the benefit of the doubt on a lot of this stuff. Okay, I am. We both know that this message is not about your husband. >> Can we agree to that? >> But it could be. >> So you call him your hero because that was the name of the song. >> Yeah. Why still? >> Okay, so this happened yesterday, right? You're sad. Why? I miss you. I miss you, too. But what is TMR? >> TMR? >> Yeah. Does I miss you too, but >> I don't know a whole lot of the text. Okay. I know you are is um om on other news but again he I think he says it as like I don't know or I don't know >> I know IDK and lol. >> Okay. >> Okay. So >> and like I said a lot of it it's just how I like that's >> we're going to be okay. Yes we will. I hope so we will. Promise. I promise. Okay. I can trust you. Okay baby. But since she was us, I'm glad you didn't grab my dick. I feel a bit better. Just wish I was there. And boy, was I right not to do so. >> Well, I guess I wasn't supposed to say any of me. >> I was going to, but I'm glad I didn't. Yeah. Yeah. Why didn't you though? I knew we would have been caught. Oh, yeah. Well, IG, I guess tomorrow morning you won't come see me. Yeah, okay. Just cuz I can. Sorry. It's okay. I love you, babe. I love you, too, princess. What's wrong? None. Why? I feel like you're mad. No. I am smelling hoodie while I have it. Good. Really? Yes. Why? Cuz I gave it to you for a reason. What is it? Your reason. My hoodie. I get that. What was your reason for giving me the hoodie? You wanted it. It smells like you. So, I wanted it. Yeah. It is the only way I'm going to get through this long distance. Yeah. Yeah. For a while. Then once I get out, I'll be able to be with you. These people are crazy dumb or whatever. You mean everything. You're going to be okay with this for a while? Yeah. Going to have to be. I know, babe. But once I have my place, you can stay with me. Then we don't have to be so far apart. Plus, I'm getting you a ring for Christmas. Yes, B. I love you. I love you, too. My hero pumpkin still here. >> And the ring was meant for Mus but not for him. >> Finally, with the evidence laid bare, the detective directly confronted her lies, dismissing her last ditch excuse that the messages were for her husband and forcing her to face reality. >> Why are you guys calling each other husband wife? >> But again, I did wasn't meant for for that. I my my phone automatically does certain auto messages um auto sends or not auto corrects. Um so when I'm trying to say something, it's not always right. I do know that. >> Okay. I gave you your opportunity. You're not talking about your husband. You're not talking to your husband. We both know who you're talking to. You're talking to Okay. There would be no context why you and your husband would be talking about why the school knows you guys are dating. You guys aren't in school. You're 30 years old and you're married. You're not dating. Correct. So, can we cut that act now and saying at least what's on this conversation, I'm not talking about previous ones, but what you guys are talking about right now, everything was meant to just like everything was meant towards you. Is that correct? Death explains >> Michaela Ford ultimately faced multiple felony charges including exploitation of a child, criminal by a school employee, criminal contact of a young person, solicitation of a child, and enticement of a minor. Moving on to the case of the teacher who tried to buy an 11-year-old silence with Cash [music] App payments and Snapchat secrets after inviting him over for playdates. >> We have a search warrant for the house. Okay. Um, you know, you are going to be placed under arrest. >> Me? >> Mhm. On April 3rd, 2024, detectives in Mon County, Illinois, knocked on a door with a search warrant. They were there for 30-year-old Alli Bartfield, a sixth grade substitute teacher. The day before, an 11-year-old [music] student had walked into the police station with his parents after receiving a string of disturbing and highly inappropriate images from his teacher. His mother's suspicion started after a play date at Bartfield's house, leading her to check her son's phone. What she found was a digital nightmare. Explicit Snapchat photos from his teacher, talk [music] of pregnancy, and $700 sent through Cash App. >> We can't answer the door right now, but if you'd like to leave a message, do it now. >> Hi. >> Hey. How are you? Hey, is Ally home? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, [music] sheriff's office and I'm assisting the Mountain Police Department. How many kids are home? >> Three. >> Three kids. Okay. Just you guys and the kids. Okay. >> And someone else? >> Yeah, it's my brother. My brother. Your brother. Okay. So, here's the thing. We have a search warrant for the house. Okay. Um, you know, you are going to be placed under arrest. >> Me? >> Mhm. You're alley, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, and it's going to be for um predator predatory criminal sexual assault to grooming. Okay. So, that's why we're here to take a look to make sure we gather what we need out of the house. Okay. Um, >> so what? >> Yeah. So, I'll talk to you more about it here in a second. Okay. Um, as a matter of fact, if you guys want to go in and start doing the dogs, please. >> We're going to have to follow you in though, just make sure. Okay. >> You want to stay here with me? >> Officers told Bardfield she was under arrest for an extremely [music] disturbing crime. Standing in her doorway, she acted confused, as if the accusation was impossible to believe, but the police had been listening. Just hours before her arrest, they monitored a call where Bfield told the young boy to delete their [music] messages and assured him she couldn't get pregnant. The evidence wasn't just a story. It was recorded. >> I'm going to explain some things to you, okay? First off, I have to read your rights, okay? So, I can talk to you, okay? You do have the right to remain sound. Anything you say or do will be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney. And if you can't afford one, one will be appointed to represent you free of any cost to you. Do you understand? Okay. Have you ever been in trouble before? Okay. I'm going to give you an opportunity to explain, but long story short is, okay, we've got a significant amount of evidence um to include the conversation that you had. >> After being read her rights, Bartfield was told they had proof of her conversations. According to court documents, she denied everything, claiming she never touched the boy. >> She'll be able to talk to No, I'll talk to you about that. >> Oh my god. >> No, but listen. >> Make it nice and show us. secure out here. >> We are going to give you, you know, how you raise your kids and what goes on. >> My wife sit in the back cuz I want to be out of the air and I'm going to have you have seat in this vehicle. >> Register 56 and 120. OP revoked. >> What you see? >> This right up here. >> You good, buddy? >> Yep. >> Arrested and in shock, Aliy Bfield's journey as a teacher was over. Her new path led straight to a courtroom where the evidence awaited and where her future would be sentenced in decades. In the patrol car, confronted with the Snapchat photos she'd sent, she finally broke. But instead of taking responsibility, she blamed the sixth grader, saying he was the one who wouldn't leave her alone. >> It's a class X felony punishable by 6 to 60 years in the Department of Corrections that would be served at 85%. Followed by a mandatory supervised release of 3 years up to natural life and up to a $25,000 fine. It is not a probation eligible offense. and if convicted, you would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your natural life. >> In court, a judge laid out her fate. Bartfield pleaded guilty to a class X felony carrying 6 to 60 years. She would serve at least 85% of her sentence, be under supervision for life, and register as a defender forever. [music] Ally Bartfield was sentenced to 40 years in prison. The teacher who thought she could hide behind texts and snaps learned the hard way. Some digital trails lead straight to a