01/07/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Erika Simmons, 28, a former paraprofessional teacher at Myers Middle School in Garden City, Georgia has reportedly been arrested on charges she sexually molested a 15-year-old male student.
Garden City Police Chief David Lyons says that both Simmons and the boy confessed to the relationship which allegedly took place in November, 2008.
Simmons has reportedly been charged with child molestation, statutory rape and enticing a child for indecent purposes.
Simmons first came to the attention of school police who heard from students and staff members of rumors of an improper relationship between Simmons and the boy.
After an initial investigation by school police, the investigation was turned over to Garden City Police as it is alleged that the illicit sexual contact occurred in Simmons home in Garden City.
Following her arrest Simmons was being held in the Chatham County Jail awaiting arraignment this afternoon.
Reportedly Simmons who had been with the school system for exactly one year has been fired.
01/07/09 – Update
Erika Simmons appeared in court for arraignment this afternoon.
The state sought $10,000 bail and the defense attorney argued for less.
Bail was set at $6,000 and conditioned upon Simmons having no contact with her alleged victim or any state witnesses and she is also to stay away from Myers Middle School.
01/21/09 – Hearing Re-Scheduled
Erika Simmons was scheduled to be in court today for a hearing where the judge would decided if there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.
Reportedly the Simmons’ attorney questioned police tactics during the questioning of his client and the credibility of the witness who first brought forth the allegations.
However Simmons’ attorney said he wants to cross examine the detective who took a statement from Simmons, but that officer was not at work today and unavailable.
The judge re-scheduled the hearing for January 28th.
01/28/09 – Preliminary Hearing
Today a preliminary hearing was held for Erika Simmons and the judge found probable cause to send the case on to the grand jury.
At the hearing Garden City police testified they first learned Simmons was having sex with a student after she bragged about it to a friend and fellow employee at Myers Middle School, Alissa Robinson. The defense challenged the prosecution witness by saying that it was only after Robinson was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault that she started making allegations against Erika Simmons .
Reportedly the police have a taped statement from the alleged victim and a taped confession by Erika Simmons.
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Upset Parent – what are you talking about ’she just embarrassed my race’!!! Where did that statement come from? What does race have to do with crime, or a teacher having sex with a student?
You just embarrassed my race, the human race!!!
She just embarassed my race
I would think this would fall under the law of sexual assault by person in authority!