From Tribune staff reports
Two teachers in separate Alabama county school systems have been charged with sex acts with students in the last two weeks.
On Friday, DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Weldon said his department received complaints about a DeKalb County substitute teacher having a sexual relationship with a student.
Following an investigation, said that on Thursday December 7, 2023, substitute teacher, Kristen Jade Ford, 30, was arrested on the charge of school employee engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19.
Ford was employed as a substitute teacher with DeKalb County Board of Education. The schools where she worked were not named in the statement.
“Cases involving our children are never easy, but I am thankful for our Investigation Unit and their diligence in resolving this case so fast,” Weldon said. “Our children are our future and protecting them is our number one priority.”
Weldon cited the cooperation and assistance with the DeKalb County Board of Education in the investigation.
The earlier incident occurred in Marshall County on November 30.
School officials and SRO deputies received information of a school employee acting inappropriately with a student at Asbury High School, according to Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims
Sims said an investigation was immediately initiated by investigators and school officials.
Based on the investigation, Leslie Rains, 28, of Albertville, was charged with a school employee engaging in a sexual act with a student under the age of 19. The charge is a class B felony in Alabama.
Sims said no other details could be released due to age of victim. Rains was given a property bond set at $25,000.
“As soon as we received this report, my office and Marshall County school officials acting promptly to resolve this matter,” Sims said. “The individual was removed from further contact with any students during the investigation. We take the safety and protection of the students serious and when matters like this arise, we will act expeditiously.”