WEST UNION, Ohio – An Adams County teacher was recently indicted on sexual battery charges related to a student.
Laura Welfley, 26, has been charged with sexual battery in Adams County Common Pleas court after being accused of inappropriate contact with a male student.
According to school officials, Welfley taught seventh-grade language arts and coached track at West Union Junior and Senior High School until she resigned on April 20.
According to investigators, a school resource officer was alerted about the alleged misconduct and alerted the Adams County prosecutor’s office.
According to reports, Adams County/Ohio Valley School District Richard Seas released the following statement in response to the incident:
“”The safety of our students and staff is always a priority. That being said, on April 20, I was notified by West Union High School Principal Roger Taylor that we had a situation involving 7th grade Language Arts teacher and High School Track Coach Laura Welfley and a student at West Union High School. After our investigation of the situation, Laura Welfley resigned her employment from the Adams County Ohio Valley School District on April 20. A report was made immediately to law enforcement. Given that this is a criminal matter I have no further comment.”
Welfley has been charged with third-degree felony sexual battery. Her bond was set at $7,500.
Welfley’s next appearance is a pre-trial hearing scheduled for June 26 at 12:30 p.m.
