A decorated Washington
elementary school teacher
has been accused of
having sex with a former
student, starting when he
was just 14 years old.
Daily Mail reports that 41-
year-old Darcy Smith, who
was named “Teacher of
the Year” in 2012, has
been on administrative
leave since August
following an investigation
that began several months
beforehand.
The boy, now 19, allegedly
moved into Smith’s
Renton, WA, home with
her husband and children
when he was 12 years old
and had Smith as his
sixth-grade teacher.
Smith had reportedly
brought him to the
hospital when he broke his
collarbone, and then took
him in because her house
was closer to the doctor’s
office than his own.
His mother agreed to let
her son live with Smith to
prevent him from going
down the same path as his
brother, who was in a
gang, according to official
documents.
The student alleges that
Smith would give him gifts
and show affection at
night as she drank wine.
They reportedly began
having sex when the boy
was 14, and continued to
do so until he moved out
in 2012.
The boy told authorities
that Smith warned him
she’d go to jail if anyone
found out about their
relationship.
It wasn’t until last May
that he came forward to
the King County Sheriff’s
Office.
Smith was charged with
three counts of third-
degree rape of a child
earlier this week,
according to the Seattle
Times.
The Highline School
District, which Smith has
been an employee of since
2001, sent out a letter to
her students informing
them of the charges.
Smith has received
multiple awards from the
district and was called
“truly exceptional in her
practice” when she won its
Gold Star Award in 2012.
She is scheduled to appear
in court next week.
