An Alabama junior high school teacher has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing a minor student.
Ashton Alana McCluskey had been a 7th grade math teacher at Brooks High School since 2017, according to AL.com. The married 26-year-old — a former cheerleader at the University of Alabama — was also a private cheer coach at the 490-student school. She had attended the same high school as a student when she was growing up.
But McCluskey was put on administrative leave in January after allegations arose that she had sex with a student.
Last month, she was charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a student under the age of 17. She turned herself in on Wednesday and was later released on $50,000 bond.
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WAFF-TV reports someone connected with the case is related to an employee at the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office. To avoid a conflict of interest, McCluskey's case was assigned to the State Bureau of Investigation.
If convicted, McCluskey faces up to 20 years in prison. She has not yet entered a plea, and arrest documents do not name an attorney authorized to speak on her behalf.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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