28-year-old Colorado teacher accused of sexually assaulting, stalking child
A 28-year-old teacher from Colorado was accused of sexually assaulting and stalking a child, according to authorities.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday identified her as Teresa Whalin, of Centennial.
The sheriff's office said she faces the following charges:
- Suspicion of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust
- Internet exploitation of a child
- Stalking
Whalin has been employed by the Douglas County School District since July 2021," the sheriff's office said. "She has been placed on administrative leave."
Whalin was arrested on Monday when she working as a gym teacher at Ranch View Middle School, according to ABC7.
Citing an arrest affidavit, the media outlet said the student told a counselor about an inappropriate sexual relationship with a former gym teacher, who was later identified as Whalin. The student was trying to cope with mental health issues when Whalin started "offering support and hanging out after school in her office," the outlet noted.
They "developed a relationship with one another" and it eventually became sexual, the affidavit noted, per ABC7. They also shared photos on the social media app, Snapchat, per the outlet.
The document says that Whalin drove the student to and from school for most of the relationship, and that the student's parents were not aware of it," ABC7 reported.
But when the student ended the relationship, Whalin, "continued to drive near" the student's home and their "walking path to and from school," according to the report.
The student reported feeling fearful that they were being followed by Whalin, who they believed was 'jealous' of the new relationship," the affidavit noted, per ABC7.
The outlet reported that Whalin admitted to authorities she had a sexual relationship with the child for 14 months, as well as drove by the student's house after the relationship came to an end. She also reportedly used "fake phone numbers in hopes the messages would alarm the student and lead them back to her."
Whalin was taken to the Douglas County Detention Facility, where she is currently being held on a $50,000 bond.
Detectives urged anyone who has information about the case or who believes they or someone they know might also be a victim of Whalin to contact Detective Clay at sclay@dcsheriff.net.
The sheriff's office said the Douglas County School District was alerted of Whalin's arrest and is cooperating with the investigation.
