A 32-year-old special education teacher in Spokane, Washington, has been accused of repeatedly raping a fourth-grade student in her classroom and recording at least one of the alleged assaults on video, according to police and court records.
Prosecutors say Mahayla Benavides, a teacher at Stevens Elementary School, is charged with child rape and child molestation after investigators reviewed statements from the 10-year-old boy and searched her cellphone.
A statement of facts filed in court alleges the abuse took place in the main classroom and in a smaller adjoining room during the school day, according to People.
The child allegedly told a detective that Benavides performed sexual acts on him nearly every day at school, sometimes as often as five times daily.
He said sexual intercourse occurred in the smaller room, while other acts happened in a more private area of the classroom. The boy also said Benavides warned him not to tell anyone because she could lose her job or get in trouble.
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Investigators say a search of Benavides' phone turned up sexual videos she recorded of herself and showed to the student, as well as a video that appears to depict her having sex with him in the classroom. Police allege the footage corroborates key parts of the child's account of the ongoing abuse, Yahoo News reported.
Spokane School District 81 said it immediately removed Benavides from the classroom and cut off her access to students after officials learned of the allegations, then contacted police. In a statement released by Spokane police, the department credited the district's quick action with helping "prevent further harm."
Benavides was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail, where she is being held on a bond set at $500,000 after prosecutors initially requested $750,000. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to local outlet KXLY. A trial date has been scheduled for May, court records show.
Authorities have urged anyone who suspects child abuse to contact law enforcement or a child abuse hotline as the investigation continues, as per AOL News.
