Amber Swain, exuding the image of an ideal mother, was recently seen beaming with her six children and three dogs during a hike in the scenic landscapes of rural Washington state.
At 35, Swain hails from Pend Oreille and is known for her roles as a schoolteacher and the former executive director of Spokane Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and caregivers within the foster care system.
Separated from her husband Daniel, Swain often shared soothing videos on adoption, filmed in a room adorned with wooden signs bearing motivational words like ‘inspire’ and ‘dream.’
Her commitment to foster care was profound; she fostered and then adopted a boy who was once a third-grade student in her classroom in 2017.
Swain expanded her family by also adopting this boy’s brother and another boy she met through her work.
However, after nine years of dedicated activism, Swain’s life has been upended by accusations of abusive conduct towards two teenage boys, whose identities remain protected by the Daily Mail.
She was arrested on Tuesday after an investigation by the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office revealed that she allegedly had sexual encounters with the youngsters, who are aged 17 and 18.
The age of consent in Washington is 16, but adults in a position of authority over teens up to the age of 19 can still be charged with sexually abusing them.
Amber Swain looked every inch the perfect mother as she smiled alongside her six children and three dogs during a hike in rural Washington state
Swain and her husband, Daniel, whom she is now separated from, became foster parents in 2017 and went on to adopt three boys who had been placed in their care
Cops launched an investigation into the teacher in May after police were shown text messages between Swain and one of the boys, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by KREM.
The teenagers were called in for a forensic interview, during which one admitted to having a sexual relationship with her, the affidavit said.
He claimed that the pair started having sex in December, while he was still underage.
He alleged they had slept together several times, with the most recent encounter having occurred just two days before the interview was conducted.
Swain initially denied the boy’s allegations, but later admitted to having sex with him, the affidavit alleged.
She told investigators that they were first intimate in February, after the boy’s 18th birthday, but added that she ‘could have her timeline messed up,’ the filing said.
The other alleged victim claimed that he touched Swain multiple times while they were in bed together, but said she stopped him a few minutes later.
She also told police that the boy put his hands on her, but claims she ‘pushed’ him away, prosecutors said in the affidavit.
The 35-year-old teacher’s foster care work saw her become executive director at Spokane Angels, a nonprofit that supports children and caregivers in the foster care community
In sharp contrast to the charges she faces, Swain posted calming videos about adoption in a room filled with wooden signs emblazoned with words like ‘inspire’ and ‘dream’ to her Facebook page
The claims have rocked Swain’s quiet rural community, where locals, including Swain herself, enjoy the stunning Alpine scenery and wealth of outdoor pursuits on offer.
They present a terrible contrast to the image she has sought to portray of herself.
Swain told a heartwarming story about how the third grader she met in 2017, whom she later adopted, came from a ‘struggling’ home, which impacted his academic performance.
‘Throughout the year, I just grew to love him,’ she said in a Facebook video five years ago in which she urged others to consider adoption.
‘I saw his resilience, his potential and just grew to love him. He really inspired my husband and I to start fostering.’
Swain and Daniel applied to be foster parents and in January 2018 became carers for that boy and his little brother.
The following year, the couple started fostering a third boy and in November 2019 legally adopted all three children. The couple also have biological children.
Happy-looking photos showed the family hiking and walking through their local forests – but those images have now been tainted by the allegations against Swain.
Deputies arrested her on Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree incest and second-degree incest. During Swain’s first court appearance on Wednesday, the judge said she also faces first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. Formal charges have not yet been filed
The claims against Swain, above in a pro-foster care campaign, present a terrible contrast to the image she has sought to portray of herself
Deputies arrested her on Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree incest and second-degree incest, the sheriff’s office said.
During Swain’s first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon, the judge said she could also face a charge of first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor.
Formal charges have not yet been filed.
The judge on Wednesday set her bail at $20,000, citing her risk to community safety, according to a terms-of-release order obtained by the Daily Mail.
A no-contact order was put in place for the alleged victims, Swain’s husband and their two youngest children, the filing showed, suggesting that Daniel may now be caring for his estranged wife’s alleged victims.
It is unclear when the couple parted ways, but property records indicate they sold their shared home in the small town of Newport in 2022.
Daniel, who owns and operates a martial arts studio in their community, did not respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.
Swain was banned from having contact with anyone under the age of 18 or leaving the state, according to the order.
She is due back in court for her arraignment on Monday.
Swain was put on administrative leave from her job at Pend Oreille River School after her arrest
Swain is a teacher at Pend Oreille River School in Newport School District.
She was placed on administrative leave after deputies notified the district about her arrest. Police say district officials are cooperating with the investigation.
In a statement to KREM, the district said: ‘While we cannot say much at this time, we can unequivocally and firmly state that we take these matters very seriously.
‘We are working closely with law enforcement as they continue their investigation into this matter.’
