TACOMA, Wash. -- A former Mount Tahoma High School English teacher is accused of having sex with a student.
Veronica Dawkins, 38, is charged with eight counts of first degree sexual misconduct. The married mother of two resigned Tuesday.
Prosecutors say the victim, 18, was from Kenya and came to Tacoma in 2009, when he first met Dawkins at school. The relationship allegedly turned sexual in December and the two would meet at Wapato Park.
In the charging documents, victim called it making love, telling police it was only a sin because Dawkins is married.
Prosecutors say none of the sexual acts happened on school property.
It's not pleasant when those things happen. Unfortunately they do happen, said Tacoma Public Schools spokesman Dan Voelpel. We're telling parents right now that we want them to be on the alert. If this emotional news affects their student, we want them to talk with a counselor.
The victim is no longer enrolled at the school.
Dawkins is set to be in court Friday. Prosecutor Mark Lindquist says she has been cooperative in this case.
This is the first time Pierce County has charged a teacher under the new law that makes it a crime for a teacher to have a sexual relationship with a student, even if he or she is 18.
If convicted, Dawkins faces up to five years in prison, but she is eligible to take part in a program that would lessen that sentence. She would also have to register as a sex offender if convicted.
