Art Teacher Arrested For Groping Middle School Student In Class

A Wisconsin middle school teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a student in class.

Art teacher Christy Mathis, 50, received a $10,000 signature bond with $5,000 cash from Marathon County Circuit Judge Michael Moran after she was charged for grabbing her student's buttocks on March 25, according to People. Police arrested Mathis after an unnamed 12-year-old student complained about an alleged harassment.

She is currently free and is due to appear before the Marathon County Court on April 23, local newspaper Wasau Daily Herald reported.

Marathon County Assistant District Attorney Hannah Boeck said the incident happened in Mosinee Middle School while Mathis was teaching students in her art class.

Boeck said the young female victim reported that Mathis put her hand on the student's back during the class. She then allegedly proceeded to slide her hand down the student's back until she cupped her buttocks. The student then asked other students around her, "Did that just happen?" And the other students verified that the incident did occur.

Mathis' defense attorney, Jessa Goetz, said her client has no criminal history. Goetz pointed out Mathis is married and has two children. She also said Mathis has owned a home in the Wausau area for 25 years.

Mosinee School District Superintendent David Muñoz said Tuesday that the district removed Mathis from her position before spring break upon learning of the incident. She has been put on administrative leave while the district and police each conduct their own investigations.

According to Muñoz, Mathis will remain on administrative leave without access to school district property until the incident is resolved. He also promised the district will provide updates as new information on the case becomes available.

The case follows a similar incident reported on Wednesday where a Florida teacher was arrested after offering $200 to a 2-year-old girl's father, so he could sexually molest his child.

Xavier Alexander, a 27-year-old fourth-grade teacher at Grove Park Elementary school in Palm Beach, was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by local authorities. He is facing charges of solicitation of a minor and traveling to meet a minor.