GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A Gaston County teacher and coach was denied bond on Tuesday after being arrested and charged with two counts of having indecent liberties with a child under 16.
Victoria Lynn Powell, 31, of Grover, is a PE teacher at Hunter Huss High School.
She allegedly took indecent liberties with the kid, who is a Hunter Huss student, on Nov. 1, officials said.
Mary Jackson has a daughter at the high school.
“The idea that it’s a teacher sickens me because we trust our children with you,” Jackson said.
Jackson said Powell is a teacher and coach who is highly respected among students at the school.
“Bubbly, smiley. Just one of those teachers that the students knew they could gravitate to her,” Jackson said.
However, police said Powell got too close to one student.
“Based off a relationship. A student-teacher relationship at Hunter Huss,” said prosecutor Jason Meulemans.
The student reportedly shared their story with police about inappropriate incidents, which happened on a Saturday.
Police got a search warrant for her phone and found text messages.
“Basically, collaborating things that were said by the student,” Meulemans said.
Jackson said, “Now, I have to realize that I also have to protect my child form the very people that’s supposed to protect them.”
Victoria Powell was hired at Hunter Huss High in 2021.
School officials suspended her with pay two weeks ago.
Prosecutors said she was also a church youth leader.
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