Sarah Fowlkes, a former science teacher at Lockhart High School, was arrested on March 20 following accusations of an improper sexual “relationship” with a 17-year-old student.
Fowlkes, 27, is facing a second-degree felony charge and has been suspended from her teaching position, which she has held since October 2014, according to the school district’s press release.
What Happened?
An investigation into Fowlkes’ relationship with a 17-year-old student began on March 10, prior to spring break, when school district officials were alerted about the sexual “relationship.”
Via Houston Chronicle:
According to the police department, officers received a report March 10 from a school administrator at Lockhart High School about a possible inappropriate relationship between a student and a teacher. The investigation led a Lockhart detective to a 17-year-old male student, who had been in contact in person and by message with Fowlkes. Their contact was of a sexual nature, police said.
In a statement on its website, Lockhart Independent School District said Monday that Fowlkes had been suspended and that notice of her conduct was being sent to the State Board for Educator Certification.
After learning about the alleged behavior March 10, before the start of spring break, district officials contacted Child Protective Services as well as the Lockhart Police Department, the statement said.
Fowlkes turned herself in and was released after posting bail.
“Lockhart parents entrust their children to us every day, and it is something we do not take lightly. Student safety is the district’s most important priority,” Superintendent Susan Bohn said in a statement. “As soon as we learned of the report, we acted swiftly to involve law enforcement and (Child Protective Services) to conduct a thorough investigation. The district does not and will not tolerate any improper communication or contact between a teacher and child.”
Who Is Sarah Fowlkes?
Sarah Fowlkes, 27, taught science classes at Lockhart High School since October 2014. She is a Texas native who has been arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. Fowlkes can be seen smiling and smirking in her mugshot and booking photo.
Specifically, Fowlkes engaged in “sexual content with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the student,” Lockhart police told the Hays Free Press. Also of note, Fowlkes has been married since October 2013. She and her husband live in New Braunfels, Texas, roughly 40 minutes outside of Lockhart.
