A former kindergarten teacher at a Christian school in Indiana has admitted to having a sexual relationship with a female student, including encounters on school grounds, during class trips, and at the teen's home.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Torrie Lemon, now 24, pleaded guilty on Thursday, May 14, in Indiana to one count of child seduction, a Level 5 felony. She was sentenced to 40 days in jail, followed by nearly four years of probation. Lemon had already spent a month in jail awaiting trial. She is scheduled to be sentenced separately on Friday, May 15, for two additional child seduction charges in the same case filed in a neighboring county in suburban Indianapolis.
Discovery of the Relationship
The relationship was uncovered during an April school trip to South Carolina when another student saw messages on the teen's phone. The messages included discussions about "climaxing" and "laying in bed" with the then-17-year-old student, according to court documents. Lemon also texted the girl, "I love you more than I can describe. I love my girl. Thank you for an amazing night and morning."
The teacher was immediately sent home from the trip and later confessed to police, stating, "I was having an inappropriate relationship with a student from our school."
Details of the Relationship
The victim told officers that her friendship with Lemon began when they discussed their attraction to women. The girl said both she and Lemon "wanted it to just be a friendship" as it "went against their beliefs as Christians." Despite this, the pair had sex at Lemon's apartment, which is located on school grounds. Lemon also slept over at the girl's home, where they shared a pull-out couch in the basement. The girl began asking her parents about the age of consent, which is 16 in Indiana.
The girl's father admitted knowing that his daughter "kissed, hugged and cuddled" the teacher but did not report it because he did not want Lemon to lose her job. Lemon told investigators that the victim's mother had suspected "there was more to their relationship" than friendship.
