Minnesota teacher, 24, charged with criminal sexual conduct with student in classroom

The latest alleged teacher sex scandal involves a 24-year-old teacher from Minnesota who is reportedly “on the run.” A nationwide arrest warrant has been issued for the former teacher, who is accused of criminal sexual conduct with an underage student in a middle school classroom.

Caitlin K. Thao, of St. Paul, was recently charged in Ramsey County District Court with third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Thao faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.

According to the Star Tribune, a nationwide arrest warrant has been issued for Thao.

The alleged child abuse crime reportedly involved a 17-year-old student and occurred earlier this year when Thao was a substitute teacher at St. Paul City School.

The teenage victim told police in March that she had had a sexual encounter with the charter school teacher more than a month earlier, according to court documents. The underage student claimed the couple had sex in an empty middle school classroom where Thao taught.

According to the criminal complaint, the teen told authorities that Thao invited him to his home but he declined.

Thao is said to have resigned from her teaching post at the end of February.

According to court documents, the former substitute teacher confessed to criminal sexual behavior to a social worker while she was being treated in the psychiatric ward at Regions Hospital.

Eric Fergen — interim executive director of the charter school on University Avenue West — said Friday that Thao “has not worked with us in several months.”

Fergen declined to provide further details about the child abuse allegations.

On Friday, Fergen sent a letter to the students’ families and staff disclosing the allegations and explaining that the alleged illicit encounter occurred in an empty classroom after school hours.

The Daily Mail reported that Thao is currently “on the run.”

The Star Tribune reached out to Thao for comment but has not yet heard back.

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