A Gentry, Arkansas, middle school physical education instructor has been accused of sexual assault after it was discovered that they had an extramarital affair in 2010.
The 44-year-old Leah Queen is accused of possessing a controlled drug as well as second-degree sexual assault. She was detained last Thursday, and bail was set at $50,000, according to online records. On Saturday, she was released on bond.
The alleged attack allegedly took place in 2010, according to an affidavit received by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. At a basketball game, Queen apparently made friends with the teenager. At the moment, he was 17 years old.
In March 2010, the affidavit claims that Queen and the teenager "started interacting outside of school hours and conversing over social media."
The affidavit claims that between his junior and senior years of high school, in the summer of 2010, Queen and the alleged victim started to "engage in deviant sexual conduct." The alleged sexual assault took place either in the restroom of the school or in Queen's office.
The affidavit states that the accused victim informed the police of the sexual relationship last month. According to the affidavit, Queen's ex-husband, the parents of the teenager, and a former work colleague of Queen "corroborated multiple facts of the claimed victim's confession."
At least one eyewitness reported seeing Queen and the student on the same bed. According to the affidavit, the former coworker saw "disturbing behaviour" at the time, the Democrat-Gazette writes.
Queen might still be charged for her alleged activities from 12 years ago since Arkansas does not have a statute of limitations for sexual assault involving a juvenile.
Gentry Public Schools' Superintendent Terrie DePoala said CBS-5 that Queen has been placed on administrative leave. There have been no additional claims involving current pupils that the school district is aware of.
Queen hasn't yet pleaded guilty. There isn't a counsel listed in court documents who is qualified to speak on her behalf.
