CLEVELAND -- A teacher is accused of having sexual relations with one of her 17- year-old students who suffers from mental illness.
"This is a teacher who violated her position as an educator and became involved with a student, " said Maureen Clancy, Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor.
Clancy says, 30-year-old Naomi Wright, who teaches biology and music at the Virtual Schoolhouse Charter School, started mentoring the boy and his grades improved.
But soon after, the relationship became inappropriate and illegal. She says, "What's most troubling about this case is this student had a number of hospitalizations because of his mental disability."
Clancy says at one point, Wright even convinced the boy's parents to let him stay with her, claiming it would help with his progress.
The school has no comment on the allegations but students are shocked.
Kevin Bryant says, "When I heard about it, I was like, that's nasty." As for Ms. Wright, he says, "The teacher was nice but she never came on to me like that ."
Wright was indicted Friday on multiple counts of sexual battery and corrupting another with drugs, specifically marijuana.
But Wright claims she is innocent and that "she never had an inappropriate relationship" with the boy.
She says that she looks forward to her day in court to prove her innocence but is currently suspended without pay from the school.
Wright will be arraigned Monday at the Justice Center.
"This is a teacher who violated her position as an educator and became involved with a student, " said Maureen Clancy, Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor.
Clancy says, 30-year-old Naomi Wright, who teaches biology and music at the Virtual Schoolhouse Charter School, started mentoring the boy and his grades improved.
But soon after, the relationship became inappropriate and illegal. She says, "What's most troubling about this case is this student had a number of hospitalizations because of his mental disability."
Clancy says at one point, Wright even convinced the boy's parents to let him stay with her, claiming it would help with his progress.
The school has no comment on the allegations but students are shocked.
Kevin Bryant says, "When I heard about it, I was like, that's nasty." As for Ms. Wright, he says, "The teacher was nice but she never came on to me like that ."
Wright was indicted Friday on multiple counts of sexual battery and corrupting another with drugs, specifically marijuana.
But Wright claims she is innocent and that "she never had an inappropriate relationship" with the boy.
She says that she looks forward to her day in court to prove her innocence but is currently suspended without pay from the school.
Wright will be arraigned Monday at the Justice Center.
