WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | School employee charged with child molestation, rape
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By WTOC staff
GARDEN CITY, GA (WTOC) - They're among the people we trust when it comes to our kids, coaches, teachers, school paraprofessionals, but one parapro's in jail charged for having sexual relations with a 15-year-old Myers Middle School student.
Police arrested 28-year-old Erika Simmons Tuesday and charged her with rape, child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes.
Police say the incident happened back in November at Simmons' Garden City apartment, but it wasn't until December 29 that it was brought to the attention of campus police.
"It came to the attention of the school board police from some students and staff members who heard rumors of this and they picked up on it and began an initial investigation, until they found out it occurred within the city limits of Garden City and they brought it to us," said Garden City police chief David Lyons.
Police tell us it appears the incident only happened once.
Needless to say the school board was shocked. Bucky Burnsed with school district said they do background checks on all their employees and nothing came up in her check. Simmons has been there a year but Burnsed does tell us she has been fired.
As for the student, he is still at Myers Middle school and police say they hope once this settles down, he can put it behind him and move on.
