Recent months have seen multiple cases of teachers sexually abusing students across the United States, ranging from inappropriate relationships to serious sexual assault. Here are some of the most notable examples.
Maris Nichols: Biology Teacher Accused of Sex with Multiple Students
Maris Nichols, a 25-year-old former biology teacher at Alexander High School in Douglasville, Georgia, was arrested in May 2024. She has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority. The initial charges stemmed from allegations that she had sex with the same student twice—once on April 23 inside a school closet and once on May 2 inside a car in Douglasville.
After her arrest, a new indictment accused Nichols of propositioning or having sex with six minor students. Three counts in the indictment allege that she recorded a video with one victim. The offenses are said to have occurred between January 1 and May 5. A search warrant of her home revealed that she operated an adult subscription-based platform, where many of her students found her. According to documents obtained by WSB-TV, some students allegedly tried to blackmail her for better grades.
Mackenzie Naught: Former Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexual Misconduct
Mackenzie Naught, 25, a former first-grade teacher in Washington state, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor after a relationship with a 16-year-old student. The unlawful encounter occurred on May 3, when the boy collected Naught from her house at approximately 2:15 a.m. while her husband was asleep. Court documents state that Naught asked the teenager to drive her to a rural spot in Harwood Hill, where they chatted before she initiated a kiss and became "handsy." They subsequently had sex inside the vehicle and on the truck bed. Naught was dismissed from her position at St. John School District. In a plea bargain reached in July, she admitted guilt to spare the teenager from testifying at trial.
Cassidy Carter: Sentenced for Sending Explicit Photos to Student
Cassidy Carter, who worked at South Dearborn Community School Corporation in Indiana, was recently imprisoned after confessing to sending explicit photographs of herself to a 14-year-old pupil each time she took a shower. The student revealed the pictures to another staff member in December 2023, leading to an investigation. Court documents show that the school welfare officer immediately contacted the headteacher, who alerted police. Carter was sentenced to two years behind bars.
Julie Rizzitello: Charged with Sexual Assault Over Year-Long Relationship
Julie Rizzitello, 36, from New Jersey, was charged with sexual assault earlier this month for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with a student over a 12-month period. She faces two counts of second-degree sexual assault, three counts of criminal sexual contact, and one count of witness tampering. Rizzitello resigned from her position at Wall Township High School and is awaiting a detention hearing.
Amanda Katz: Smiling Mugshot Sparks Outrage
Amanda Katz, 55, a former teacher and school administrator at Roswell High School in Georgia, was arrested on suspicion of grooming a 16-year-old student. She allegedly planned to run away with the pupil to Mexico. Her mugshot, taken on June 2, shows her smiling, which sparked outrage on social media. One Facebook user commented: 'She's smiling on the mugshot.'
