A Texas middle school teacher is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student in her car, while two other pupils were present in the back seat.
Allegations of Abuse and Vape Distribution
Jaden Renee Charles, a 26-year-old science teacher and mother of four, has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Authorities allege her misconduct involved more than one student from Agua Dulce Secondary School.
The investigation began unexpectedly when a student was caught with a vape on campus. School officials discovered Charles had provided the device. This led to a wider probe where officers learned she may have been supplying vapes containing THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, to several students.
The Shocking Late-Night Incident
The specific charges stem from an incident in the early hours of 29 February 2024. According to reports, Charles drove three students—a 14-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy, and a 15-year-old girl—to a Walmart car park in Alice, Texas, at around 2:10 am.
It is alleged she then tied a blanket around the headrests of the front seats of her SUV for privacy and had sex with the 14-year-old in the front passenger seat while the other two teenagers remained in the back. Court documents state Charles claimed at the time to be pregnant with the boy's child.
A Wider Pattern of Alleged Misconduct
City Marshal Joe Martinez revealed that interviews with five male students indicated a disturbing pattern. Four of them confirmed having inappropriate relations with Charles and said she provided them with THC vapes and alcohol.
Authorities believe her alleged crimes span two counties—Nueces and Jim Wells. Investigators also claim she had sexual relations with two students before being employed by the Agua Dulce Independent School District and had been purchasing vapes for boys for two years prior to starting her teaching role.
Chief Eden Garcia from the Alice Police Department stated there is corroborating evidence, including concerned parents and video footage of the teacher with a student at a local hotel.
Legal Proceedings and Background
Charles, who graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2021, appeared in court recently. Her attorney, Robert J Gonzalez, told Judge Jack Pulcher he had not yet received evidence related to the Jim Wells County case, noting that county has not indicted Charles.
The defence suggested the potential Jim Wells case might be connected to the two existing cases from Nueces County. Jaden Renee Charles is due back in court in the first week of April as the legal process continues.
