Illinois Teacher Admits To Inappropriate Relationship With Student, Appears In Court

An Illinois high school teacher charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a student appeared in court after admitting to her inappropriate relationship with the minor.

Erin Kemp, 38, admitted to the Morton police detectives that she had a month-long “inappropriate” relationship with the student in September. She appeared in Tazewell County Circuit court Monday but her details of plea agreement was not available, reported NY Daily News.

Kemp admitted to the investigators that she had “inappropriately touched” the minor and kissed him. However, she denied having any sexual contacts with the student. The minor told the county children’s advocacy center officials that the teacher had made sexual contacts with him.

A Morton Police detective, who serves as the school’s resource officer, found out that Kemp had dismissed class early for lunch. He reviewed the surveillance video that showed physical interactions between the teacher and the student.

The surveillance video “demonstrated a level of familiarity and comfort that was inappropriate between a teacher and student,” according to court affidavit, reported local news outlet Pekin Daily Times.

The forensic examination of the victim’s cell phone revealed evidence of their relationship. The detectives found out numerous text messages from Kemp expressing her love towards the student and her desire to spend an entire day with him. She also expressed her concerns about him moving away from her.

Kemp who joined Morton School in August 2007 resigned her job as business teacher on Sept. 17, 2020.

She has been charged with class 2 felony. If convicted, she could face up to seven years in prison. Kemp is expected back in court on Feb. 19, 2021.

Sexual assaults are classified as aggrevated when circumstances or injury is more serious. Minors are considered incapable of consent regardless of their mental ability to understand the nature of the act.