Additional Coverage:
- Smiling female teacher ‘groomed’ student, 16, and begged to run away to Mexico together (irishstar.com)
A former Roswell High School teacher and administrator in Georgia, Amanda Katz, 55, has been arrested on charges of grooming a 16-year-old student. Authorities allege that Katz engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the teenager over several months and even planned to flee to Mexico with him.
Katz was taken into custody by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office on June 2, following an investigation involving digital evidence and witness statements. During her booking, a mugshot was taken that quickly went viral online, showing her smiling despite the serious allegations-a detail that has stirred strong reactions on social media.
According to the arrest warrants, the relationship escalated from extensive communication to repeated physical encounters beginning in late December 2025. Katz, who worked at Roswell High School from 2015 until her resignation this year, initially taught the student before moving into an administrative role. Investigators say she used the excuse of wanting to learn Spanish from the student as a way to initiate contact.
Between January and February 2026, the two reportedly maintained near-constant communication through thousands of texts and hundreds of calls. The alleged abuse came to light over Valentine’s Day weekend when the student’s mother discovered explicit messages during a family trip to the mountains.
Authorities say Katz ingratiated herself with the student’s family by tutoring the younger sibling, giving gifts, and even renting a vacation cabin for the family in Helen, Georgia. The exploitation allegedly took place in multiple locations, including Katz’s residence, her vehicle, and near the student’s workplace.
Warrants also suggest Katz planned for the student to graduate early and move in with her before they attempted to escape to Mexico together. Prosecutors cite messages from Katz that appear to acknowledge the gravity of her actions, including statements like, “I would give you everything I have,” and, “Just telling you this can get me fired…
I have done a lot of stupid things. A lot.
But this is top level.”
Katz’s bond was set at $25,000 following her arrest. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to gather evidence surrounding the alleged misconduct.