A married US teacher has smiled through a mugshot photo after she was arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.
Sarah Fowlkes, 27, couldn’t have looked happier as she beamed a huge grin at arresting officers on Monday when she handed herself into police after celebrating her birthday, The Houston Chronicle reports.
The dismissed Texas biology teacher from Lockhart High School faces up to 20-year behind bars if convicted of engaging in a sexual relationship with the student.
Police were contacted by a school administrator who reported the inappropriate relationship on March 10.
Following her arrest, officers found lewd text messages exchanged between the pair.
Police Chief Ernest Pedraza charged Fowlkes with engaging in "sexual contact with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of' the alleged victim", the Daily Star reported.
Fowlkes was suspended after the allegations were made.
Schools superintendent Susan Bohn issues a statement ensuring parents the school will not be taking the matter lightly.
"Student safety is the district's most important priority. As soon as we learned of the report, we acted swiftly to involve law enforcement and CPS to conduct a thorough investigation," she wrote.
"The district does not and will not tolerate any improper communication or contact between a teacher and child."
The 27-year-old had worked at the Texas school since 2014 and had been married since 2013.