A Kentucky middle school teacher is facing felony charges after authorities said allegations involving a student revealed conduct that went beyond inappropriate behavior and into potential criminal activity.
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 law that went into effect 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 in the school district.
Officials said the allegations were initially brought to Graves County Schools. District administrators then promptly alerted the Graves County Sheriff’s Office, which opened a criminal investigation.
Detectives said their investigation involved reviewing and seizing electronic records, conducting interviews and carrying out additional investigative steps. Flores was interviewed Friday afternoon and was arrested at about 3:30 p.m.
After her arrest, Flores was booked into the Graves County Restricted Custody Center and later moved to a detention facility outside the county.
Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden said the case remains under active investigation.
Graves County Schools Superintendent Matt Madding said school district leaders contacted law enforcement immediately after becoming aware 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.
“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.
