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Last updated on Wednesday, April 11, 2018
(LINTON) - A warrant has been issued for a Linton-Stockton High School teacher following allegations of sexual encounters with a student.
29-year-old Taylor Valandingham-Dunham of Terre Haute is facing two counts of Level 5 felony child seduction after having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male.
Linton Police say the art teacher admitted to having sex with the male on a number of occasions.
According to a statement by the Linton-Stockton School Corporation, Valandingham-Dunham is currently on administrative leave.
Linton Police Department Detective Paul Clark filed a probable cause affidavit in Sullivan Superior Court on Monday.
According to that probable cause affidavit, police began their investigation on April 3 after they were contacted by the high school principal following rumors there was a video of the teacher and student together in a vehicle outside of the school setting.
The teen told police the two began talking on Instagram and then through direct messaging and then on Snapchat, where photos and messages disappear after a few seconds.
The teacher had reportedly told the student via Snapchat she wanted to see the student, but he/she said it was not possible because she was in Terre Haute. The teacher reportedly sent a photo in her underwear saying, "maybe this will change your mind."
The student told police in late March, the two were working together on a project and met outside the classroom setting where the two allegedly traveled to Greene Sullivan State Forest and engaged in sexual acts. The encounter allegedly happened on more than one occasion.
The school released the following statement - "During the investigation, the Corporation placed Ms. Valandingham-Dunham on administrative leave, and as a result of the recent criminal charges filed against Ms. Valandingham-Dunham, she remains on administrative leave while we work with our attorneys to address her future employment status."
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