A 28-year-old teacher, Teresa Whalin, is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student and subsequently harassing him after their breakup. Allegations suggest that Whalin not only had sexual encounters with the student but also exchanged explicit photos with him. Moreover, she allegedly resorted to creating fake phone numbers to maintain contact with him.
According to reports, the student faced mental health challenges following the alleged relationship that commenced in April 2023. An affidavit indicated that the student referred to their interaction as “dating,” involving communication through Snapchat, dining together, and spending time in the teacher’s classroom.
After the student severed ties with Whalin, she purportedly began stalking him, citing difficulty coping with the separation. The teacher reportedly visited the student’s residence and appeared along his route home from school in Denver, Colorado.
Upon disclosing the alleged misconduct to a school counselor, authorities were promptly informed, leading to Whalin’s arrest on the same day as reported by the Denver Post. During police interrogation, Whalin reportedly confessed to the sexual relationship, sharing nude images, and orchestrating fake communications to reach the student anonymously, believing it would prompt him to seek her assistance.
Whalin now faces charges of sexual assault on a child in a position of trust, internet exploitation of a child, and stalking. She has been detained at the Douglas County Detention Centre on a $50,000 (£37,907) bond. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Whalin’s employment in the school district since July 2021, stating that she is on administrative leave, with the district actively cooperating in the investigation.
The incident remains under investigation, with ongoing efforts to uncover further details.