A Kentucky middle school teacher is facing felony charges after authorities say allegations involving a student led investigators to conduct they believe went beyond inappropriate behavior and into criminal territory.
Sadie M. Flores, 25, of Mayfield, was arrested Friday afternoon on a charge of grooming a minor, a Class D felony under a new Kentucky statute that became effective July 15.
The Graves County Sheriff’s Office said Flores, who worked at Graves County Middle School, is accused of engaging in an improper relationship with a minor student within the school district.
Graves County Middle School teacher Sadie Flores was arrested following an investigation into an alleged improper relationship with a student. (Graves County Detention Center)
Officials said the allegations were initially brought to the attention of Graves County Schools. District administrators then alerted the Graves County Sheriff’s Office, which opened a criminal investigation.
Detectives said their work included reviewing seized electronic records, conducting interviews and carrying out additional investigative steps. Flores was interviewed Friday afternoon and taken into custody at about 3:30 p.m.
After her arrest, Flores was booked into the Graves County Restricted Custody Center before being transferred to a detention facility outside the county.
Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden said the case remains under active investigation.
Authorities arrested Sadie Flores after an investigation into allegations involving a student. (Graves County Sheriff’s Office)
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Graves County Schools Superintendent Matt Madding said district leaders immediately contacted law enforcement after learning of the allegations.
“District administration was made aware of an allegation involving a teacher at Graves County Middle School. School officials immediately reported this information to the Graves County Sheriff’s Department for investigation,” Madding said in a statement.
“We have since been informed that, as a result of that investigation, charges have been filed against this teacher.”
Because the investigation and personnel matter remain ongoing, Madding said the district is limited in what it can publicly discuss but emphasized that student safety remains its top priority.
Graves County Middle School in Mayfield, Kentucky, where Sadie Flores was employed before her arrest. (Graves County Middle School)
“We take any allegation involving the safety of a child or the professional conduct of an employee extremely seriously and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and the appropriate authorities,” he said.
The grooming charge stems from a Kentucky law that took effect July 15, creating a new felony offense aimed at adults accused of cultivating inappropriate relationships with minors before sexual abuse occurs.
Authorities have not released additional details about the alleged relationship, the student’s age, or whether additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
