A 28-year-old teacher, Teresa Whalin, is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student and subsequently harassing him after their breakup. The allegations include exchanging explicit photos with the student and using fake phone numbers to contact him.
The student reportedly experienced mental health challenges following the alleged relationship that began in April 2023. According to an affidavit, the student referred to their interactions as “dating,” involving communication through Snapchat, dining together, and spending time in the teacher’s classroom.
After the student ended communication with the teacher, she allegedly began stalking him, appearing at his residence and on his way home from school in Denver, Colorado. The student disclosed the relationship to a school counselor on Monday, leading to Whalin’s arrest on the same day.
During a police interrogation, Whalin reportedly confessed to the sexual relationship, sharing nude photos, and creating fake phone numbers to contact the student anonymously, hoping it would prompt him to seek her assistance.
Whalin faces charges of sexual assault on a child in a position of trust, internet exploitation of a child, and stalking. She is currently held at the Douglas County Detention Centre on a $50,000 (£37,907) bond.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office stated that Whalin has been employed by the Douglas County School District since July 2021 and has been placed on administrative leave. The school district is cooperating with the investigation.
The incident remains under investigation.
