SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Sevier County teacher is facing charges, including statutory rape by an authority figure, after she was accused of inappropriate actions involving a student, Sevier County Schools said.
In a statement, the school system released that administrators were notified late Thursday afternoon of “allegations of inappropriate activities” between the teacher, Ashley Palmer, 42, and a student. School officials reported the allegations to law enforcement and assisted to connect potential witnesses with investigators.
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Sevierville Police said detectives arrested Palmer Friday afternoon on two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation.
Palmer, who is listed as a staff member on Sevier County Junior High School’s directory, was placed on leave pending the results of Sevierville Police’s investigation, Sevier County Schools said. The district added that she will remain on an indefinite suspension as the judicial process plays out.
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As of Saturday morning, Palmer is listed as currently in custody at the Sevier County Jail without a bond listed…