Former Substitute Teacher Accused Of Having Sex With Students

WOODSTOCK, GA — A former substitute teacher with the Cherokee County School District is accused of having sex with two teenage students over the course of a year.

Woodstock resident Laura Rich, 38, was arrested on Friday, Sept. 23 and charged with two counts of sexual assault by a teacher, said Cherokee Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lt. Jay Baker.

The school district informed the sheriff's office about the allegations.

Detectives with the agency conducted an investigation and determined Rich allegedly "had sex with a 16-year-old student in early 2015 and then had sex with an 18-year-old student in late 2015," Baker added.

Rich is a former substitute teacher with ACE Academy, which is located in Holly Springs.

Both alleged encounters took place in Rich's former home in the southwest Cherokee County portion of Acworth, Baker stated.

Rich was released on Friday from the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center after posting a $22,400 bond.

Cherokee County School District spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said Rich began substitute teaching in January 2015 and her last day with the system was Aug. 19.

"She no longer is permitted to work as a substitute teacher in CCSD," she adding, noting the district is "fully cooperating" with the sheriff's office's investigation.

Image via Cherokee Sheriff's Office