A former Dale school teacher has been charged with a sex crime following an alleged sexual relationship she had with a student at the school.
Sarah Christine Sellers, 39, of Tecumseh, was charged on Nov. 30 in Pottawatomie County District Court with first degree rape.
Pottawatomie County Court Clerk Valerie Ueltzen confirmed that Sellers made an initial appearance before Special Judge David Cawthon on Dec. 2.
The judge reduced her bond from $25,000 to $12,000 and Sellers then went to the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center where she was booked in and booked out.
Her $12,000 bond stipulates that she have no contact with the victim.
The charge accuses Sellers of between March 1, 2020 and May 15, 2020, at Dale Public Schools of engaging in sexual inter course with a student at Dale Schools under 20 years old. It further states Sellers was an employee of Dale schools during this time.
Dale’s Acting School Supt. Ky Wilkins said on Monday, “Sarah Sellers began teaching for Dale Public Schools on Aug. 8, 2014.
“During her employment she taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, and first grade. Sellers resigned from Dale Public Schools on July 19, 2021.”
Pottawatomie County Deputy Amber Soule states in a probable cause affidavit that around the first of September this year, she received information about an inappropriate relationship involving a teacher and student at Dale schools.
Soule noted she had received the information from another law enforcement officer.
In the affidavit, Soule said the officer told her that an elementary teacher, Sarah Sellers, was possibly having an inappropriate relationship and when Sellers was at the student’s residence would message him to come to the bathroom.
Soule reported the parents of the student had found out and Sellers admitted to them in a text message of the inappropriate relationship.
In the affidavit, it’s stated Sellers was told to leave the school and area but didn’t and her husband also knew about it.
Soule said that was all the information she received from the officer. She further stated it had been taken to the Principal and Superintendent of the School but no law enforcement report was made involving the student and Sellers.
Soule reported there were rumors apparently of a relationship between the teacher and another student around April of this year.
Sheriff Mike Booth was reportedly informed and he requested a report be made by Deputy Brent Vanlandingham who provided a detailed narrative for Soule.
The rumor about another student was not substantiated, Vanlandingham confirmed and he found out later the student Sellers was speaking of was the one she is accused of having the inappropriate relationship with.
After further investigation, a warrant was issued and the charge was filed.