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when they took place, how come you didn't disclose that to the school? >> We I It was at lunch and I knew that there was cameras, so I knew that they were already going to say something. >> Estancia, New Mexico, November 6th, 2024. Something shifted inside the walls of Estancia High School. Students came forward. They had seen something. A teacher and a boy together in a place they had no business being. That student told Principal Mindy Lingnau, and Principal Lingnau told Superintendent Cindy Sims, and Superintendent Sims picked up the phone and called police. By the end of that day, a 30-year-old substitute teacher named Michaela Marie Ford had already walked out of that school, never to return. >> Do you know where her 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 going, "Well, that's And Leonard was sitting there and we're like, 'There she goes. Let's make sure she leaves.'" >> Do you think um obviously she was tipped off probably, right? >> I'm sure. >> And that's why she came in here and just threw the cards down. >> that. >> Yeah. And then she said, "Don't tell my husband." >> as soon as somebody like me was requiring her. I said, "You were required to come here. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200." >> I mean, I didn't say that, but I told her >> Yeah. >> come here. So, she did. I I mean, I can assume a bunch of stuff, but I don't care to be cross-examined by an attorney on whether or not I can prove that she was tipped off. >> Yeah, correct. Um and you said there was two videos? >> So, that's the one I saw. That's all I knew as of that day and then 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. >> Yeah. >> And then this is today. This is today. I haven't seen this cuz I've been doing this other stuff. Okay. So, we'll watch it together. >> Have you seen this? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Do I need to fast forward or just let it run? I mean, it's 4 minutes long, so. >> Yeah, they will be coming from >> them. >> Oh, yeah. >> So, we are in this office over here right now. Looking at this guy. And this is where they are. Hugging him now? >> Yep. >> Looks like to me. >> That is very >> Yeah, and you only see when she's facing this way and she's hug He is going to hug her on the back. >> 6 days later, on November 12th, 2024, officers arrived at Makayla Ford's residence to place her under arrest. >> Can I help you? >> Yeah, we're looking for Makayla. >> Makayla? >> Yeah. >> Makayla. 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. >> Who may I ask? >> Okay. Who is this? >> This is my aunt slash mom. >> Okay, would you want her present or >> She can go back inside. This doesn't matter. >> Okay. >> Okay. I got it. >> Do you know why we're here, Makayla? >> Yes, I think so. >> Why? What do you >> it might be something to do with what had happened at the school. >> Okay. Um >> correct? >> Okay. Yeah, 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? >> Why? >> Okay. So, we need it and 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. Now, he knows what's going on cuz I already 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. >> And I could provide the search warrant and it's for every cell phone, so I will take every cell phone in the house. >> Okay, so can I ask why you're having to take my cell phone? Cuz it's the only way I can get in contact with my husband and the court and >> for the investigation of your your relationship with the student, okay? >> Well, what if the relationship with the student >> Okay. I I don't want it Okay, I don't want to hear that right now, okay? But that's what I'm telling you what the warrant's for is I need your cell phone or we're going to go in and get it. >> Okay. >> Hold on. Hold on, both. Um so, this is your aunt? Okay. Can I have her grab it? I just don't want you to go in and >> Well, with the documents, can I just let her know? >> Uh yeah, we I'm going to be right here, though. >> Okay. >> What's your name? >> Aubrey. >> Aubrey? >> Aubrey. >> Aubrey. Okay. So, here's the search warrant. Like I said, you can have a copy. >> Okay. >> So, here's the other thing. Um is it password >> Yeah. >> 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. >> can unlock it really quick if you don't mind. >> Yeah. We're just looking to make sure nothing's been deleted, okay? >> No. >> Okay. >> Do you want me to I I was going to take it out. >> airplane mode, look, and I'm going to >> just going to unlock take the off passcode really quick to get >> Can you just give us the passcode? >> I can just unlock uh keep it unlocked. >> Okay. So, at this point, we have to preserve any evidence, anything we're looking for in our investigation, okay? >> watch me do it. I promise I won't delete anything. I will do it from the screen, watch. >> And who lives here? >> Me, my son, my aunt, my uncle. >> Okay. Where's your husband or you said you were >> My husband's in Albuquerque at the moment. >> Okay. You guys are getting a divorce, you said? >> We're just waiting for the paperwork through the court and stuff. >> How old's your son? >> Seven. >> Seven. And this is where he resides, you said? >> Yes. >> Okay. 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've got you on video, you guys kissing, being intimate. So, I'm going to need you to stand up. Okay? >> Do you have shoes? >> Let's get you some shoes. >> Well, you can't go back inside here. >> Can I go back and get them for me then? >> Yeah. Yeah. This is going to go with you. No, no, no. Come here. I need you to place your hands behind your back. Do you have any weapons on you? Anything that's going to stick or poke me? Got what you got shoes on? >> You open my door one more time, you open my door one more time, you do not have a warrant. It's not been verified to me. >> Hey, we do have a warrant. >> Not for me. >> Get him back or I'll >> You have a warrant. I have a >> I ain't moving from my house, DUDE. I'M OLD AND I BROKE MY HIP and [ __ ] >> SHUT UP. >> WE HAVE A WARRANT. >> That's what I'm trying to say. >> Stop. Stop. Let it out. Get out of my >> Get out of my >> Why are you in my face like that? >> And he assaulted my sergeant. >> We have a search WARRANT FOR YOUR HOUSE. >> I'M NOT STOP IT. You're assaulting my officer. >> I was not in your space. >> Yes, you were. 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? >> And what did I And what did I show you? We had a search warrant. We got her shoes. We have a search warrant. You wanted to start intimidating. Not intimidating anything. So, you were not intimidating when you stepped up to my sergeant. He knows me. I've had I don't know you. I don't even know you. We just need some shoes for her. That's what we're trying to do. You need to let go of my arm. You've already tried to break my arm. I didn't try to break my arm. You've already tried to break my arm. Okay, well, just hang out there then. We're going to be out of here in a second. You also need to let go of my arm. Why would I do that? Because you're being rude to me. Okay. Can we There is no female officer that is involved in this situation. officer right there. There wasn't when I stepped out now. I'm right here. Hello. I'm Oh, hello, Miss Stephanie. >> How have you been? Oh, not very happy right now considering this idiot just opened up my door without authorization twice. And without presenting it to me with a warrant. Plus they rushed on two of me. >> He knocked on the door wearing body cam and he opened the door. So if you want to see that you can request the video. >> Two officers that have attacked an elderly gentleman under your control right now. >> Right. Okay. So follow up on that. >> And as of right now, I'm calling probably filing charges against the whole city and these two officers personally. >> We're going to be out here if you need anything. >> Charging them with assault. >> Okay. So we're just going to get out of here. Just for scene safety, I'm going to read you your Miranda rights, right? So that way you're aware of that. If you want to talk to me at that point, we can. Just remember anything said by you at this point you haven't been read Miranda, okay? So I just want to protect your constitutional [music] rights. Do you understand? Okay. 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 we'll figure that out, okay? 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. We did communicate a couple times there. >> Was it through Messenger or what through it? Okay. Okay. All right. And how long have you been married? >> To my husband, it has been 5 years, I believe. >> And that's legally married? >> Yes. >> And but not divorced, correct? >> No. We're just working on our divorce now. We just filed last week. >> Okay. Sorry to hear that. >> It's okay. >> What's his name? >> Corey. >> Corey? Reason we're here, okay, we were notified last week of what was caught on the camera. I don't know. I know the principal tried talking to you guys from what she said. Obviously I wasn't there, right? So this is your chance to talk, see what's going on. Um but it was about the kiss that you guys had in the corridor in the middle school, okay? With that being said, you know, we have the warrant for your arrest for, you know, contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Him being 15, okay? With that being said, I'm just going to ask you some questions, right? Try to figure out what's going on, how you guys met, everything in between. With your Miranda being read, at any point you want to stop talking, that's your right to do so, okay? Um, as long as you're aware of that, okay? So, when did you become a substitute there? >> Um, at the end of uh, August. >> Of this year? Okay. And you were hired as a substitute with the district here, right? Okay. Was that through elementary, middle school, and high school, or was it just for a specific grade? >> It was for all cuz they needed somebody for all at the moment. Um, >> Okay. >> due to my request was technically only for a lower end of uh, upper elementary. >> Okay. >> But because of the situation that had happened at one point, um, I guess I had said something that I wasn't supposed to, but I don't remember Remember that conversation. I'll be honest, I don't remember that conversation at all. Um, I talked to Miss Annette, and we decided to move me to middle school and up um, high school for a little while until it was safe for me to go back down. >> Okay. All right. And you don't remember what that was about? >> No. All I know is that I guess I had said something while I was at Valley, which where I would work and for that for I was working for both. Um, I guess I had said something about it uh, a student to a grandparent in front of the parent. I don't know the whole conversation. >> Oh, okay. And they got like offended or something, or okay. And Valley Express, how long did you work there? Or do you still work there? >> work there no longer. >> How long did you have you worked there? >> Um, 3 4 months. >> Okay. >> Had for that time. >> So, you started probably what, summer time, I would imagine? >> April. >> April of this year? Okay. >> And I quit at the end of August, so. >> And you quit in August when you started the substitute? >> Um a little after just cuz she the lady who was um making the schedule didn't want to work around >> the student's name. >> Um >> Okay, last name? >> know his last name, so. >> Okay. Um how did you guys meet? >> Uh just in class, actually. >> Okay, he was a student of yours or okay. >> a I was subbing for one of his teachers that day and we just started talking cuz he was the only he was one of the kids that was still left in the class during advisory. We just started talking. I did give him my phone number to contact me outside of school for personal reasons. Um just cuz I know that coming from a situation where where you know, being adopted and stuff it's not very easy sometimes. So, I wasn't I wasn't giving him like professional advice or anything. I just tried to help him through like some of those emotions that he was going through and how to deal with them. >> Okay. >> And I told him that if it got worse or if cuz he was having problems and he was wanting to like hurt himself and stuff. I told him that if he was to get to that point, he needed to talk to somebody professional including the counselor at the school. >> Okay, so he disclosed that he wanted to hurt himself? >> Yeah, at some point, yeah. He doesn't anymore, though. >> When he was expressing and that's okay, but when he was expressing these to you, did he ever say like how he wanted to do it? No like visions or anything? Okay. Was he ever like homicidal in the sense of like was he ever mad at anybody that he disclosed to? How's his relationship with his stepmom? >> Um I'm not sure how he how he feels about it. I know it's rocky sometimes. I don't think it's a thing. >> Okay. >> was, I would have said something to the school. >> And and I don't think so, either. I was just kind of worried or wondering like if he liked her or if they got along or >> have no clue, either. >> Do you know who she is? >> No. >> You don't know who she is? >> No. I just know that the guy that he talks more about is and he's really nice to him. He doesn't really talk about his son. >> And who's Michael? Is that boyfriend or stepmom or >> Well, what Michael is to her or anything. >> Oh, really? Okay, but a Michael he gets along with? >> Yeah. It's not a big deal. >> Oh, no, you're fine. Would you like us to turn the temperature up a little bit? Is when this happened? >> Yeah. Something like that. It's been a little while. Not really good at dates. >> Okay, so we could probably say approximately three or four weeks. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And um I guess with that being said, how was your how was your guys' conversations? >> It was just like normal like you and I talking. I did set boundaries before we even started talking though, in class and outside of the class where he wasn't supposed to do anything funny, nothing can happen cuz I was married and stuff was like that I didn't mind helping with class work talking to him, you know, things like that cuz that's, you know, I'm very kindhearted in that kind of way. >> Okay. >> I just don't want somebody to fail on account that they don't know the information and stuff like that. >> Okay. And when you when you say like normal conversations and setting boundaries, was did it ever get to the point where he was >> He never expressed how he felt with me um for me at least. >> Yeah. >> Um I told him that it would never happen um but the boundaries that it would never happen because I knew the laws. I did make sure before I even like started talking to the older kids that I knew the laws cuz I know you have to be 16 for consent or something like that. But I'm like I'm not going there cuz I wanted to work with my relationship with my husband since we've already had a rocky, you know, couple months before that. >> Okay. >> And I wanted to make it work for him and my son, but then last week he did what he did and that was really, you know, >> Okay. >> I was not comfortable with it. I'll be honest with you. >> Okay. And so if we're going to go there, >> And then >> which is fine. Go ahead, you can keep talking. >> then yesterday Miss Simpson and I did talk again cuz he hugged me. I gave him a hug to tell him that I was no longer talking to him um, outside of everything cuz of the situation and to further myself from that whole thing cuz I don't need that problem. I didn't want this to happen, actually. >> Okay. >> Cuz I'm being smart and I did tell him yesterday that I was no longer going to be talking to him that um, my number is still there if he wants to talk to me, but don't expect me to answer cuz I I needed to look for another job. I was you know, trying to think about my son, my divorce, things like that cuz me and my husband are trying to work out the situation before my son and not actually go through with that divorce, but we did file just in case. >> Okay. What was the conversation with him yesterday? How did he take it? Was he pretty upset? >> He didn't seem like he was upset. He just gave me a full frontal hug and I um, told him that we I needed to go cuz it I it was before school and um, Miss Simpson talked to me yesterday about if I did it again that she was going to call the police on me and stuff like that, which I understood. >> Okay. >> I was like, but she didn't know that I was telling him that he wasn't allowed to talk to me cuz I didn't want to fight with her cuz I didn't want want that situation. I don't like confrontation. >> Okay. And not saying you did anything wrong or anything like that, okay? When the kiss took place, how come you didn't disclose that to the school? >> Um, we I it was at lunch and I knew that there was cameras so I knew that they were already going to say something. I did go talk to the principal uh, uh, 10 minutes before the bell rang at the end of the day just because I was working on um, I was the extra {slash} sub for Miss Baca from the middle school. >> Okay. >> So, I was on her schedule. I wasn't even on my on a on a a like specific schedule so I was on her schedule so >> Okay. >> I was like, okay, I'll just go talk to her at the end of the day, explain what had happened. I told her that because of the situation, I was not comfortable and that I was actually leaving that day because I didn't um my divorce was not putting me in the right mindset anyway. >> 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 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 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 and do something he would regret later. >> Like going after this kid? >> Yeah. >> What were you tutoring him on? >> Just math. >> Math? >> Algebra I think it was. >> Okay. >> to keep get the grade up and I guess he had failed it last year or something like that. I don't know. >> Okay, so you're just helping him out with that. >> just homework. >> Okay. When you were telling your husband that you were working with him and tutoring him, what what was his response to that? >> was to be careful to not let anything happen. Um to stay like 6 ft from the person. >> Okay. >> Just cuz he he knew that this kind of stuff could happen and he didn't want me to get in trouble. Just for being a good person, I guess. >> And the last time you tutored him at his house, how long ago was that if you had to guess? >> Two weeks. >> About 2 weeks? >> About 2 weeks. >> Um were the two times in the same week? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And like I said, it was just really awkward for me and I I didn't want to go back. >> Okay. >> I I did let him know that I wasn't going to do that unless it's in a public place. >> And was that because of anything he said or you just didn't feel comfortable or >> with it. Like I said, he never really talked much about anything >> Okay. >> or >> obviously you know, we got on video that you guys kissed. >> Yeah. >> You didn't feel the need to call the principal or anything cuz you said you knew it was on camera. >> I knew it was on camera and I was going to talk to her anyway at the end of the day um about the going and leaving and stuff like that. And I was going to talk to her about it anyway just because I already had a schedule I had to keep and Miss Bogan said that I could do it 10 minutes before the bell rang just so that way I could be out on time. Um, because I did ask her about that and she was like, "Yeah, you need to definitely go see her now." And I was like, "Well, I know I already needed to do that. I just needed to talk to her anyway." >> Okay. 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. >> 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 who really needs it, honestly. >> Yeah. Yeah, and I don't think nobody's questioning that he needs help, right? I think we could all agree that he needs help for sure. >> was trying to be that person to be there. But, like I told like I told him when I first started this that if he talked about hurting himself, hurting somebody else, or him being in danger, I would say something. >> Okay. >> But, anything else he said to me was really confidential again. Um, it was mostly just about his >> When you first started talking, um, um, did you know how old he was? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I kind of figured when he was a 10th grader, he'd be about 15-ish. >> So, then the next morning you went over. That's when you were hugging him at the middle school. >> Oh, yes. Yes. When he got here, I let him give me a hug and I told him that I would never talk to him again. This was the last time he'd ever see me or speak with me at this point. Um, because I did not want this situation. >> Okay. That's how you guys were communicating, right? You disclosed, you gave the number and everything. What on that cell phone are you going to find or am I going to find, right? And what I mean by that is you've been very cooperative up until this point, right? You've been very forthcoming. What am I going to find on that phone that's going to contradict anything that you said today? >> Just probably like the messages um to somebody else that I've been talking to. Um just outside of my husband just cuz of everything. >> Um okay. And and that's, you know, here or there with anybody else, right? >> you know that that might contradict it um just cuz of that. >> And that's with >> No. >> Okay, no. So, we're here about a Right. What are there messages with him that's going to prove otherwise, pictures, emails, videos? >> maybe, cuz he did send me a couple. >> Um what pictures? You can be honest. >> Um one of him standing in a mirror. >> Okay. Um any inappropriate pictures? >> No. >> Were there any sent? >> No. >> Cuz you know we can retrieve all that, right? >> Oh, I >> So, >> No. >> So, 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 need 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 returned 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, >> I >> You You know this isn't my first day in law enforcement, right? Okay. >> Oh, that's what I'm just saying. I don't know if there was any that wasn't appropriate. >> what was the picture that Well, that's fine. What was the picture that was accidentally sent to him? >> Uh just me and my without my shirt. >> So, exposed. Okay. Any of you I know, but nothing like that. Okay. >> And like I said, it was just meant for my husband. It was sent just accidentally sent to the wrong person. >> And and you're not aware if he sent you any of his genitalia, anything like that. Um did you guys ever have intimate uh messages like sexting, things like that? >> Not that I'm aware of. >> Okay. Not that you're aware of, so there may be? >> There might He might have sent something, but again, I don't answer all of the messages. >> Okay. And if you >> focused with my husband and everything, so. >> When investigators executed a forensic digital search on both cellular devices, the full scope of the communication came to light. The evidence revealed a highly inappropriate and recurring pattern of explicit text logs and media exchanges. Data extraction uncovered numerous digital messages detailing planned encounters on school grounds alongside text threads discussing specific prohibited materials and items. Faced with the unarguable reality of the digital timeline, the defense was completely dismantled by the forensic results. >> I could just be totally wrong. He could have I could have sent something else to him that might have been mistaken as sex sexting, things like that. I'm not 100% sure. I'm going to be completely honest >> Okay. So, none that you remember that he was like, "Hey, let's go have sex." or "Hey, your >> remember anything like >> your breasts look good." Anything like that. Did he compliment or say anything when you sent it to him? >> I don't think he did. I don't think he did, but I'm not Again, I'm not 100% sure. I will be honest with you. >> What was um Did you ever tell your husband you accidentally sent it to him? >> No, cuz my my husband was there when it was sent, so he was already there and he knew that it wasn't meant for him. It was actually meant for my husband and um I just He's on to it, so >> Okay. My husband already knew. I didn't have to tell him. >> Okay. So, what was your And like I said, um I'm taking what you're saying for face value, okay? So, I appreciate that. Uh What forms uh did you guys communicate through text message? >> Just mostly text messages and then every once in a while, if he couldn't get the phone to work, um his phone to actually send stuff in Messenger. >> And that was through Facebook, right? >> Yeah. >> Um Do you What other social media accounts do you have? >> Instagram. >> Instagram? What else? >> That's it. >> No Snapchat, and we're not going to When we do a phone dump, we're not going to find anything like that. >> No, I don't have an a Snapchat. I haven't used it in a while. I might have downloaded it a couple times, but I don't really use it all that much. >> Okay, but is it on your phone? >> No. >> Okay. >> When confronted directly by detectives regarding the physical nature of the relationship, the suspect offered highly inconsistent explanations, at one point claiming memory lapses prevented her from recalling specific events. She further insisted that explicit media recovered from the device had been sent entirely by mistake. However, the forensic analysis of the cellular data left no room for denials. Faced with timestamps, recovery logs, and direct text threads, the fabrications collapsed. During the remainder of the interview, she formally admitted to investigators that she had engaged in a pattern of inappropriate messaging, physical contact, and illicit behavior with the student. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yes, ma'am. Go ahead. >> When you say phone dump, I mean, just so I know what that 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 a hard drive, we can 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 like 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 >> Yeah. >> I just I think it's just an automatic thing I do. So, I will be able to >> Okay. >> I so I am so sorry for not telling you that earlier, just cuz I didn't think of her until now. >> Mikaela Ford was charged with multiple felony offenses in related crimes. Following her initial arraignment, the court placed Ford under strict pre-trial supervision in Torrance County. As a condition of her release, she was ordered to have absolutely no contact with the 15-year-old victim while the case moved through the court system. As of the latest public updates, no final verdict or sentencing has been announced.

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