Current:Home > MarketsNebraska teacher arrested after police find her, teen student naked in car, officials say -FundTrack
Nebraska teacher arrested after police find her, teen student naked in car, officials say
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:00:13
A Nebraska high school teacher was jailed on Monday after officials say they found her naked in a car with a teenage student after a car crash.
Erin Ward, 45, a substitute teacher at Omaha Public Schools, was arrested over the weekend on one count of first-degree sexual abuse by a school employee after she admitted to having sex with the teen boy, Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson confirmed to USA TODAY.
According to Hanson, just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, deputies responded to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle parked on a dead end road in a neighborhood in Elkhorn.
Elkorn is a neighborhood on the western side of the city of Omaha.
Deadly NOLA mass shooting:1 killed, 11 hurt in mass shooting in city's Warehouse District
Teen boy attempts to drive away naked, crashes into yard
According to a press release from the sheriff's office, arriving deputies found two people in the backseat of a gray Honda Pilot − one who jumped into the driver’s seat, sped off and crashed into a yard two blocks away.
After the crash, the release continues, deputies reported seeing a teen boy without clothes get out of the driver’s seat and flee.
Look up today (with a telescope):2,000-foot long asteroid to pass by earth Monday
Teacher Erin Ward found undressed in backseat of car
At that same time, according to the release, the other person in the Honda − identified by deputies as Ward − was putting her clothes on in the backseat.
After officers found an Omaha Public Schools employee ID in the car, Ward told deputies she is a substitute teacher for several schools in the district including Burke High School. Deputies also said she admitted she had sex with the teen − a 17-year-old boy from one of the high schools she worked for.
Just over an hour later, the release continues, deputies located the teen in a nearby neighborhood wearing only boxers, a T-shirt and socks.
"The victim was transported to a safe place to receive care and be interviewed," the release states.
Both the teen and Ward were treated for minor injuries from the crash, the sheriff's office reported, and Ward was arrested and booked into the local jail.
USA TODAY has reached out to Omaha Public Schools.
Teacher Erin Ward jailed without bond
A jail spokesperson said Ward was being held without bond on Monday.
It was not immediately known if she had obtained an attorney or when she is scheduled to appear before a judge on the felony charge.
Anyone with additional information about Ward is asked to contact the sheriff's office.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (94829)
Related
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Colorado won't take questions from journalist who was critical of Deion Sanders
- How Usher prepares to perform: Workout routine, rehearsals and fasting on Wednesdays
- Subway slashes footlong prices for 2 weeks; some subs will be nearly $7 cheaper
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Will Messi play before end of MLS season? Inter Miami star's injury update
- Striking out 12, Taiwan defeats Venezuela 4-1 in the Little League World Series semifinal
- Under sea and over land, the Paris Paralympics flame is beginning an exceptional journey
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Takeaways from Fed Chair Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole
Ranking
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Zayn Malik Shows Off Full Beard and Hair Transformation in New Video
- NASA Reveals Plan to Return Stranded Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth
- Illinois Supreme Court upholds unconstitutionality of Democrats’ law banning slating of candidates
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Music Review: Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’ is flirty, fun and wholly unserious
- Who did Nick Saban pick to make the College Football Playoff on 'College GameDay'?
- The Daily Money: Housing market shows some hope
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Christine Quinn Seemingly Shades Ex Christian Dumontet With Scathing Message Amid Divorce
Virginia man arrested on suspicion of 'concealment of dead body' weeks after wife vanishes
Inside the Villa: Love Island USA Stars Reveal What Viewers Don’t See on TV
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Michigan man sentenced to life in 2-year-old’s kidnapping death
Judge declines to order New York to include ‘abortion’ in description of ballot measure
Boy, 8, found dead in pond near his family's North Carolina home: 'We brought closure'