A Missouri teacher is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct with a student. Rikki Lynn Laughlin, 24, who was a teacher at St. James High School, allegedly exchanged nudes and other sexual videos with a 16-year-old student.
She also reportedly invited him over to her home to have sex while her husband was away, but the student said he “made excuses” for not going over because “he did not feel comfortable." The teacher was accused of sending a video of herself using a dildo to the teen and also getting photos of his genitals from him via Snapchat.
An investigation was launched after a tip from a Phelps County detective was received on October 19, 2023. Laughlin reportedly told the teen she could go to prison for the content exchanged between them. She asked him to delete them images and videos because people at school were talking. However, he was able to provide some images to the detective.
When interviewed by police, Laughlin admitted that she'd been in touch with the student via Snapchat, but claimed he was the one who initiated the conversation and that she didn't know he was a minor until the day before. The age of consent in Missouri is 17 years old.
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Laughlin was charged with possession of child porn, tampering with a victim, attempted statutory rape, sexual exploitation of a minor, tampering with physical evidence, sexual trafficking of a child, and one misdemeanor count of furnishing pornographic materials to minors.
"The District takes these matters seriously and reported allegations to appropriate outside agencies, including law enforcement,” said school district Superintendent Tim Webster. “Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our students, and we do not tolerate any policy or law violations within our educational community."
