CLINTON, S.C. – A small South Carolina town has been rocked by accusations that a 23-year-old middle school teacher used her classroom — and other locations — to have sex with at least five male students.
Police on Wednesday arrested Allenna Williams Ward after school officials recovered a note containing inappropriate messages, said Clinton Public Safety Director John Thomas.
A magistrate on Thursday set a $110,000 bond for Ward, who faces multiple charges of sexual misconduct with minors, according to The Greenville News.
Clinton Public Safety Director John Thomas said if she is freed on bond, Ward would have restrictions placed on her, including wearing an electronic monitoring device, The Greenville News reported.
Ward, who is married, allegedly had sexual encounters with the 14- and 15-year-old boys at various locations, including in the school, a motel, a park and behind a restaurant, from December to through February, according to arrest warrants.
Ward was placed on administrative leave with pay last Thursday, acting district Superintendent Laura Koskela said. A message left by the Associated Press for the school's principal was not immediately returned Wednesday.
Ward was charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and six counts of lewd acts on a minor, according to arrest warrants. She is being held in jail awaiting a bail hearing, police said.
A phone message left at Ward's home was not immediately returned Wednesday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox