MAYFIELD, Kentucky — A 25-year-old Kentucky middle school teacher has been arrested and charged with grooming a minor under a new state law that took effect last month, authorities said, in what appears to be one of the first cases brought under the statute.
Sadie M. Flores, of Mayfield, was arrested on Friday afternoon following an investigation by the Graves County Sheriff's Office into allegations involving a student at Graves County Middle School, according to the sheriff's office and Graves County Schools.
School administrators reported the allegations to law enforcement, prompting an investigation that included interviews and the seizure of electronic records, authorities said. Flores was interviewed before being taken into custody at about 3:30 p.m., according to the sheriff's office. She was initially booked at the Graves County Restricted Custody Center and later transferred to an out-of-county detention facility.
Sheriff Jon Hayden said the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not disclosed the student's age or released details about the alleged conduct, and it was not immediately clear whether additional charges would be filed.
Graves County Schools Superintendent Matt Madding said the district immediately notified the sheriff's office after learning of the allegation.
"District administration was made aware of an allegation involving a teacher at Graves County Middle School. School officials immediately reported this information to the Graves County Sheriff's Department for investigation," Madding said in a statement, according to the district.
He said the district had been informed that charges had subsequently been filed against the teacher and that officials would continue cooperating with law enforcement.
Kentucky's new grooming statute, KRS 510.160, became effective July 15 after Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 4 into law on April 10. The law makes it a crime for an adult to engage in grooming behavior directed at a child under 14 with specified sexual intent. It separately applies to people in positions of authority or special trust, including educators, when the alleged victim is under 18.
For an adult in a position of authority or special trust, grooming is generally a Class D felony, rising to a Class C felony when the child is under 12. The statute also contains exceptions for lawful communications, including certain job-related duties and approved educational or health-related interactions with minors.
Flores' arrest comes less than a month after the law took effect. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not announced a court date or further charges.
