A Southeast Polk teacher was arrested early Thursday morning and
charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee.
Abraham Christopher Smith, 39, of Pleasant Hill was charged with
two counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of sexual
exploitation by a school employee. Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 24,
Smith abused a student than one occasion at the victim's home
and at Yellow Banks County Park, according to a criminal
complaint.
Smith is listed as a Southeast Polk High School science teacher,
according to the district's website. The complaint also said he
is a teacher for the Southeast Polk Community School District.
Jean Christenson, a Southeast Polk Community School District
spokeswoman, said in a statement that police notified the
district and the district is cooperating with law enforcement.
Smith was placed on paid administrative leave "indefinitely"
Christenson said.
"The district takes allegations of misconduct seriously and will
take responsive action for the best interests of students,"
Christenson said in a statement. "Our first priority is to
provide a safe and positive learning environment."
An attorney for Smith was not listed.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-
courts/2020/10/29/police-southeast-polk-teacher-charged-sexually-
abusing-student/
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