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Last updated on Thursday, April 12, 2018
(LINTON) - The Linton-Stockton High School art teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a student has been terminated by the school.
On Monday, charges were filed against 29-year-old Taylor Valandingham-Dunham of Terre Haute in Sullivan Superior court. She is facing charges of two felony counts of child seduction.
She was initially placed on administrative leave without pay during the investigation and now has been terminated.
The school issued a statement later in the week saying Valandingham-Dunham's employment has now been terminated.
After a thorough review of all information available to the school corporation at that time, Principal Alicia Cornelius made the preliminary decision to terminate the employment of Ms. Valandingham-Dunham.
A warrant has been issued for Valandingham-Dunham's arrest for allegedly 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.
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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