The Central Falls High School teacher accused of drinking and sleeping with her students has turned herself in.
22-year-old Emma Wise walked into Providence District Court with her attorney, Lise Gescheidt, Thursday afternoon. According to staff at Central Falls High School, Wise had allegedly been drinking and sleeping with her students. But was only charged for the drinking.
The Central Falls School District began an investigation into the allegations a couple months ago. State Police were brought in to investigate the serious allegations last week, and today Wise faced three lesser charges.
Wise was charged with procurement of alcohol to underage students and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a person under 16. Wise pled not guilty, and was granted a request to return home to Ohio to visit her mother.
The State Police Investigation involved interviewing several students. The interviews revealed that during the month of October 2011, Wise had driven students to a Pawtucket liquor store and purchased alcoholic beverages for five students, three were 16-years-old and two were 15. The group then consumed the alcohol at a local park after a high school football game.
Wise began work as a chemistry teacher at Central Falls High School in August of 2011.
The judge ordered her back in court for a pre-trial hearing March 2nd.
As for the allegations of having sex with one or more of her students, state police say the age of consent in Rhode Island is 16. While some say the teacher-student relationship in this case may be extremely unethical, it isn't illegal. Therefore criminal charges could not be filed against the teacher.
According to Central Falls School Superintendent Dr. Frances Gallo, Wise was put on administrative leave on January 13th. Wise resigned on Thursday.
If Wise is found guilty, the maximum penalty she could face for the misdemeanor charges is a 500 fine and up to one year in prison.
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