According to reports, an IDEA Public School teacher in Texas named Karen Bereniz Sosa has been arrested for having an inappropriate relationship with a student. BustedCoverage reports that Sosa is facing 20 years in prison if convicted.
According to a reports, Sosa was arrested on charges of improper relationship between educator/student. She is accused of having the relationship during winter break at the school.
Sosa is accused of having a relationship with a male student who “admitted to having sexual intercourse” with the teacher. She reportedly sent nude photos through Instagram.
“At IDEA Public Schools, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. IDEA Mission is aware of allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a staff member,” a statement from the school said. “IDEA officials have launched a thorough investigation and are fully cooperating with local law enforcement. The staff member is no longer employed at IDEA Public Schools. As this is an ongoing investigation, all further questions should be directed to the appropriate law enforcement agency.”
Sosa’s bond was set at $50,000 and she faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Over the course of the past year alone, a handful of teachers have been arrested on similar charges, including 25-year-old substitute teacher Alexis Mercedes Boberg in Baltimore, Beulah High School teacher Kelsie Schmidt in North Dakota, Rancocas Valley Regional High School teacher Alexandra Reiner in New Jersey, and 50-year-old Florida substitute teacher Angela Jean Stanton in Florida. Additionally, Texas teachers Meredith Null and Edna Longoria were arrested on similar charges.
As for why the number of these incidents has seemingly increased, studies suggest that smartphones are the primary reason for the spike in illicit relationships, as it allows teachers to communicate with the minors without supervision.
According to a report from the Texas Education Association, smartphones make it easy for teachers to privately text and talk with students and also make it possible for teachers and students to share explicit images.
It’s disturbing how teachers should know better and guide these students instead of those with inappropriate relationships.
In the police report it states that Sosa started to send the student sexy images of her on Instagram before sleeping with the student in a park during winter break.
Flip to the next page for Karen Bereniz Sosa’s photos.