Current:Home > FinanceMissouri dad knew his teen son was having sex with teacher, official say. Now he's charged. -Wealth Empowerment Zone
Missouri dad knew his teen son was having sex with teacher, official say. Now he's charged.
View
Date:2025-04-12 06:32:54
A Missouri father has been arrested after authorities say he allowed his 16-year-old son to have sex with his high school teacher over at least a two-month period late last year, newly released court records show.
Police arrested the 36-year-old father on Jan. 4 on one count of endangering the welfare of a child, saying he knew about the sex and that the two were using other students as their lookouts, according to Pulaski County Criminal Court records obtained by USA TODAY.
USA TODAY is not naming the father to protect his son's identity.
Meanwhile the teacher, 26-year-old Hailey Clifton-Carmack, was arrested in Texas after fleeing Missouri, according to a Monday Facebook post by police in Garden Ridge, just outside of San Antonio.
Clifton-Carmack was a math teacher at Laquey High School in the unincorporated community of Laquey, about 75 miles south of the state capital, Jefferson City.
She faces charges of statutory rape, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual contact with a student and child molestation. USA TODAY was working to track down Clifton-Carmack's attorney, if she has one.
'Scratches down his back'
According to the arrest warrants in the case, the alleged crimes took place from Nov. 1 through Dec. 23 when the victim was 16.
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department detectives learned about the allegations when a witness came forward and told authorities that the 16-year-old boy had shown them photographs of scratches down his back and said that they were from his teacher "after they had sex in her driveway," charging documents show.
The teen told the witness that he was the reason for his teacher's divorce, and said they had overheard them speaking intimately on the phone. In addition, the affidavit continues, the witness said the teacher is “too friendly with students and sometimes will dress inappropriately at school," often "openly discussed her personal life in class," and at one point got in trouble with the administration for "being too close with students."
When detectives visited the school on Dec. 8 to serve a search warrant on the suspect's phone, charging documents show, Clifton-Carmack denied having any kind of relationship with the boy.
'Giving her test answers':High school teacher accused of inappropriate sexual relationship
Teacher 'used students as lookouts'
As the investigation unfolded, on Dec. 23, detectives reported they got a tip the teacher was traveling to Texas but planned to visit the boy before she left town.
On Jan 3, another witness met with detectives and said they had been to the boy's home and spoke with his father, who said he knew the teacher and his son "have been in a sexual relationship and have used students as lookouts while they had sex during school."
When the witness told the boy's father they were going to police with the information, the complaint continues, "he responded by telling her they are going to do it behind my back so I may as well let it happen."
The report goes on to say he told her he would "lie for his son if he had to."
When detectives spoke to the father, he reportedly acknowledged that the teacher had been at their home before she left for Texas.
Timeline of warrants, arrests
Clifton-Carmack had not returned from Texas by Jan. 3, and people living at her registered Missouri address told detectives that she had moved to the state to be with family and did not know if she planned to return.
A warrant was issued for her arrest the next day, the same day the teen's father was arrested and booked into the county jail in Waynesville, Missouri.
And the day after that on Jan. 5, Garden Ridge police in Texas say they were contacted about Clifton-Carmack, whom they described as "a fugitive from justice who was suspected of fleeing the state of Missouri," according to their Facebook post.
Clifton-Carmack was subsequently arrested and was still in custody in Texas as of Wednesday, a Comal County jail spokesperson told USA TODAY.
The teen's father was released on a $50,000 bond and is due in court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 5. USA TODAY has been unable to reach him.
District: 'The alleged misconduct is inexcusable'
The Laquey RF School District could not immediately be reached by USA TODAY on Wednesday.
But, according to KRCG-TV, Superintendent Kent Stoumbaugh said the district was aware of the case, "took immediate action" and that the teacher has not been in the district since Dec. 8, the same day detectives visited the school to look through the teen's phone.
"We do not anticipate her return," the superintendent wrote in a statement released to the outlet. "We understand that charges are not the same as a conviction and the employee is to be considered innocent until proven guilty. We must stress, however, that the alleged misconduct is inexcusable and does not meet the professional standards for district employees."
If convicted of felony child endangerment, prosecutors said, the boy's father faces up to 10 years in prison. Clifton-Carmack faces up to 25 years behind bars if convicted of all four charges.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Jayson Boebert facing charges:Lauren Boebert's ex-husband arrested after reported fight
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio's sentencing delayed in seditious conspiracy case
- An Air Force crew captured video of rare St. Elmo's fire when they evacuated ahead of Idalia. What is this phenomenon?
- Dairy Queen is offering 85 cent Blizzards: Here's how to get the signature DQ treat
- US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
- Children getting wrongly dropped from Medicaid because of automation `glitch’
- North Korea says it simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea and rehearsed occupation of its rival
- NFL Sunday Ticket student discount: YouTube TV prices package at $109 or $119 with RedZone
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Why Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes team could surprise the nation (or not)
Ranking
- Breaking debut in Olympics raises question: Are breakers artists or athletes?
- Audit finds Wisconsin economic development agency’s performance slipping
- Pennsylvania men charged with trafficking homemade ‘ghost guns,’ silencers
- As Israel pushes punitive demolitions, family of 13-year-old Palestinian attacker to lose its home
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Bear cub with head stuck in plastic container rescued by park manager, shared on Instagram
- Meg Ryan returns to rom-coms with 'What Happens Later' alongside David Duchovny: Watch trailer
- Buster Murdaugh says his dad Alex is innocent: Trial 'a tilted table' from the start
Recommendation
Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
Amur tiger dies in tragic accident at Colorado zoo
CNN names new CEO as Mark Thompson, former BBC and New York Times chief
As back-to-school costs soar, experts provide tips to help families save
Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
Los Angeles Rams downplay notion Matthew Stafford struggling to ‘connect’ with teammates
Fort Wayne police sergeant fined $35.50 for fatally striking pedestrian in crosswalk
Activists Crash Powerful Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole as Climate Protests and Responses to Them Escalate