A Mountain View High School teacher was arrested Thursday after Vancouver police say she sent text messages that were sexual in nature and a nude photo to a 17-year-old student.
Shelley Rae Leatherwood, 45, was booked into the Clark County Jail on suspicion of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
Leatherwood is scheduled to appear Friday on the allegation in Clark County Superior Court.
“Leatherwood’s booking charge indicates a previous conviction; this is due to technical requirements with the jail booking software to trigger the felony level of the crime due to Leatherwood’s position of authority at the time the crime was committed,” police said in a press release Thursday.
Police said they were contacted Tuesday by an Evergreen Public Schools staff member after the student reported the incident.
Evergreen Public Schools confirmed Leatherwood is a current district employee on administrative leave, and she was hired in September 2018. The district declined to share any other information, citing the ongoing investigation.
According to Mountain View’s directory, Leatherwood is in the career and technical education department, teaching animal sciences.
Mountain View High School Principal Charles Anthony sent a letter home to parents Thursday, alerting them of the arrest.
“We wanted to make you aware that a staff member was arrested today based on alleged inappropriate conduct with a minor. On Jan. 3, after we were made aware of the alleged inappropriate conduct, the staff member was placed on leave,” Anthony said. “We know this news is disturbing for our students, families and staff members. We also know that you might have specific questions. Due to the fact that this is an ongoing police investigation and a personnel matter, we can’t share specifics.”
