A Missouri schoolteacher is facing charges after being arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student on campus grounds and using other students as “lookouts.”
Hailey Clifton-Carmack, a math teacher at Laquey High School in Pulaski County, was apprehended in Texas this week on felony charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, statutory rape, sexual contact with a student, and child molestation.
Her bond has been set at $250,000 as authorities work on her extradition back to Missouri.
The relationship came to light when another student reported it to officials.
The student involved in the affair showed pictures of scratches on his back, attributing them to interactions with Ms. Clifton-Carmack.
Describing the teacher as “too close with students,” the student’s report led to an investigation.
Court documents revealed that the Superintendent of Laquey Schools and the high school’s principal were aware of the teacher’s behavior before it was officially reported.
In December, officials obtained a search warrant for the teacher’s phone.
Although Ms. Clifton-Carmack willingly handed over her phone, officials noted her behavior was not consistent with someone facing such accusations.
However, she refused to provide her phone’s password when authorities wanted to examine its contents, following her attorney’s advice.
Subsequently, investigators discovered a conversation between Ms. Clifton-Carmack and the student, discussing their relationship.
Teacher employed other students as ‘lookouts’
Before traveling to Texas to visit her family, the student’s father disclosed to a witness that the teacher had been at their family’s home.
Confirming the sexual relationship, the father mentioned that the teacher had employed other students as “lookouts” during sexual activities at school.
“They are going to do it behind my back so I may as well let it happen.” the father told witnesses.
The father was arrested on January 3 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree child endangerment during his arraignment on Monday, January 8.
In a statement, the school district said that the teacher had not been in the district since 8 December 2023 and they did not anticipate her return.
