A Muscogee County teacher is on Administrative leave with pay after being charged with child molestation.
Cristina Preston faces two counts of child molestation and one count each of enticing a child for indecent purposes and sexual assault against persons in custody.
Preston teaches Special Education at Veterans Memorial Middle School, and has been with the District for 19 years.
According to Superintendent Dr. Susan Andrews Preston will remain on paid leave for 10 days.
A police report titled "statutory rape" involving a 14-year-old male student at Preston’s school was filed Monday.
Preston is being held at the Muscogee county jail without bond.
Her Columbus recorder's court hearing is scheduled for Friday.
At a press conference this morning, Dr. Andrew's addressed the concern of parents.
She says, "I don't blame them for being concerned, for being outraged, for wondering how this allegation came about, and so we have to now to everything that we can to rebuild that trust, to work toward that professional relationship, and we certainly intend to do that.”
Dr. Andrew's adds that a notice has been sent out to all parents and counseling is available for students.
She adds, "they have a right to be concerned, they send us those children every day, and they expect them to be protected and they expect our employees to be a part of the highest professionalism, as we do."
Dr. Andrews also explained that under Georgia law, if Preston decides to postpone the Board of Education trial, making her leave longer than 10 days, those additional days off will be un-paid.
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