An Omaha substitute teacher accused of having sex with a 17-year-old high school student was sentenced to three years of probation Wednesday.
Ward
Erin Ward, who worked at various Omaha Public Schools locations, will also be required to be registered as a Nebraska sex offender for 25 years, Douglas County District Court Judge Shelly Stratman said.
The sentence against Ward, 45, stems from when Douglas County sheriff’s deputies found her and the male student in the back seat of a gray Honda Pilot early on the morning of April 13, 2024. The Sheriff’s Office said the crossover SUV was parked on a dead-end road near 189th Street and Military Road.
According to Douglas County prosecutor Faith Kjelstrup and Ward’s attorney, Kenneth Jacobs, Ward and the student met at one of the schools where she taught. They further communicated through electronic means, including text messages.
Jacobs acknowledged Ward and the student met up “a few times” before deputies came across them. Jacobs attributed Ward’s actions to a strained marriage as well as Ward suffering from anxiety and depression.
“This seems to be about the only mistake Ms. Ward has ever done,” Jacobs said.
Kjelstrup said Ward gave sweets and alcohol to the student, including gummy bears dipped in alcohol. While Kjelstrup acknowledged the relationship was consensual, Ward’s age and position as a substitute teacher created a power dynamic that made it child abuse.
Neither the student nor anyone else outside of attorneys and court personnel were in court along with Ward. Ward sat largely silent during the hearing. The student did not provide a statement to the court.
Even though Kjelstrup asked Stratman to impose a jail sentence upon Ward, the judge declined to do so, saying any jail sentence would disrupt Ward’s journey to rehabilitation.
Nonetheless, Stratman said Ward made “really, really bad choices” with the student. Stratman also said it would be difficult for people to believe Ward was pressured or a victim given her age.
Conditions of Ward’s probation include her continuing to take medication to treat depression and anxiety as well as attending counseling and therapy.
omaha.com
Ward
Erin Ward, who worked at various Omaha Public Schools locations, will also be required to be registered as a Nebraska sex offender for 25 years, Douglas County District Court Judge Shelly Stratman said.
The sentence against Ward, 45, stems from when Douglas County sheriff’s deputies found her and the male student in the back seat of a gray Honda Pilot early on the morning of April 13, 2024. The Sheriff’s Office said the crossover SUV was parked on a dead-end road near 189th Street and Military Road.
According to Douglas County prosecutor Faith Kjelstrup and Ward’s attorney, Kenneth Jacobs, Ward and the student met at one of the schools where she taught. They further communicated through electronic means, including text messages.
Jacobs acknowledged Ward and the student met up “a few times” before deputies came across them. Jacobs attributed Ward’s actions to a strained marriage as well as Ward suffering from anxiety and depression.
“This seems to be about the only mistake Ms. Ward has ever done,” Jacobs said.
Kjelstrup said Ward gave sweets and alcohol to the student, including gummy bears dipped in alcohol. While Kjelstrup acknowledged the relationship was consensual, Ward’s age and position as a substitute teacher created a power dynamic that made it child abuse.
Neither the student nor anyone else outside of attorneys and court personnel were in court along with Ward. Ward sat largely silent during the hearing. The student did not provide a statement to the court.
Even though Kjelstrup asked Stratman to impose a jail sentence upon Ward, the judge declined to do so, saying any jail sentence would disrupt Ward’s journey to rehabilitation.
Nonetheless, Stratman said Ward made “really, really bad choices” with the student. Stratman also said it would be difficult for people to believe Ward was pressured or a victim given her age.
Conditions of Ward’s probation include her continuing to take medication to treat depression and anxiety as well as attending counseling and therapy.
Omaha substitute teacher given probation for sexual relationship with teenage student
An Omaha substitute teacher accused of having sex with a 17-year-old high school student was sentenced to three years of probation Wednesday.
