CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – A judge granted a $10,000 bond to the former Cosby High School substitute teacher accused of having sexual contact with a student.
Anna Michelle Walters appeared in Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Thursday afternoon.
Walters is charged with felony counts of taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship and with one count of crimes against nature to wit: carnal knowledge.
As part of the judge’s ruling, Walters must live at home with her parents, abide by a 9:00 p.m. curfew, refrain from drinking alcohol and stay away from people under the age of 18.
Walters’ father took the stand on behalf of his daughter during the bond hearing. One reason the judge granted Walters bond was so that she could care for her mother who recently suffered a stroke.
Chesterfield Police Lt. Randy Horowitz said Walters is accused of having sexual contact with a student in a Cosby High School classroom last school year.
Horowitz said police started to investigate Walters earlier this month after another student posted on Twitter that he had a sexual relationship with her. That student also posted sexually explicit photos he claimed Walters sent to him.
“These charges are not related to the 18 year old who made the Twitter release,” Horowitz said. “Our investigation indicates there was a student at Cosby, a minor, that she had an inappropriate relationship with on school property, after-hours.”
"The morning of October 12, 2012, Chesterfield County Schools was made aware of an allegation made by a recent graduate regarding a substitute teacher," Chesterfield Schools spokesman Shawn Smith wrote in a statement. "Chesterfield County Police were immediately contacted. An immediate school investigation was conducted and the substitute teacher is no longer employed as of the end of that same day (October 12, 2012)."
Smith said while there are questions that remain unanswered, the school system has taken steps to help students impacted by this situation.
"The school division will continue to provide necessary support and counseling services for our affected students," Smith said. "We encourage our parents and community to continue to provide support to our students in this difficult time. Anyone with knowledge of this situation or other unreported incidents should contact the Chesterfield County Police Department immediately."
CBS 6 legal analyst Todd Stone said the amount of evidence post to social media could help cut down the 'gray area' of what could be a he-said-she-said case. However he added Walters is innocent until proven guilty and that the Commonwealth must prove its case 'beyond reasonable doubt.'
Walters faces five years in prison for each of the two felony charges filed against her.
