A first-grade teacher in the small town of St. John, Washington, has been arrested and charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor following a reported encounter with a 16-year-old student. Mackenzie Naught, 25, was taken into custody after her husband reported the incident to authorities.
Discovery and allegations
The case unfolded after Ms. Naught reportedly confessed to her husband that she had cheated on him with the teenager. Ms. Naught’s husband subsequently informed the police that the boy had admitted to the sexual encounter.
According to court records and local reporting, the incident began with “flirty” messages exchanged on Snapchat while Ms. Naught’s husband was asleep. The teenager told investigators he was initially hesitant to meet with the teacher.
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The encounter occurred during a middle-of-the-night meetup in the teenager’s truck.
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Following the act, Ms. Naught allegedly instructed the boy not to tell anyone, fearing legal and professional reprisal.
School district action
Ms. Naught had been teaching at St. John Elementary for only eight months before the allegations surfaced. Following her arrest, the St. John School District immediately placed her on administrative leave.
Superintendent Tina Strong issued a statement emphasizing that the district is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
“Our priority continues to be the safety, well-being, and support of our students and school community,” Ms. Strong said. As part of the ongoing process, Ms. Naught is prohibited from being on campus or contacting the student.
Regional context
This incident follows several other recent investigations into educator-student misconduct across the Eastern Washington region. While this specific case occurred within the Whitman County Superior Court jurisdiction, other high-profile cases have recently been reported in Sprague and Spokane.
During her initial legal proceedings, Ms. Naught was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. The school district has requested that the community approach the matter with care as the appropriate legal and internal processes unfold.
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