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  Former Teacher Charged with Sexual Battery

News 13
January 8, 2009

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/1/8/former_teacher_charged_with_sexual_battery.html

ORANGE COUNTY — A former teacher is under arrest for having sex with student who was 11 years old at the time.

Wanda Smith, 57, is now in jail, charged with sexual battery on a child under 12 years old.

According to sex crime investigators, Smith started having sex with the student back in 1983 when he was 11 years old. She was teaching at Rolling Hills Elementary School at the time.

In 2005, Smith's former stepson found a videotape with Smith having sex with the alleged victim.

Authorities were notified, but because the male in the video couldn't be identified, no case was pursued.

"Three years later, it came to our attention. A person came forward after seeing her teaching at the same school and raised the concern if this was happening when the person was a juvenile," said Det. Jonathan O'Hearn.

Authorities did question Smith further, who admitted to having sex with the alleged victim, but said that didn't take place until he was 16 years old.

Smith's husband at the time, a pastor at a local church, supposedly was the one videotaping the incident.

Authorities have also questioned him. He has denied any involvement.

Authorities also said both Smith and her ex-husband were foster parents for at least 10 years, and are concerned that any students or foster children could also have been victims during that time.

They are asking anyone with any information to contacted authorities.

Smith has since retired as a teacher once the allegations came to light.

Because of the statute of limitations, Smith's ex-husband cannot be charged with any crime.

Smith herself can only be charged with any crime that took place before the alleged victim turned 12.

 
 

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