GARDEN RIDGE, TX – Missouri math teacher, Hailey Nichelle Clifton-Carmack, 26, is currently in custody in Texas, facing extradition back to her home state. Clifton-Carmack was arrested on charges of an illegal sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student. She is also accused of using other students as lookouts during these illicit liaisons.
Clifton-Carmack was apprehended last Friday in Garden Ridge, Texas, after allegedly fleeing Missouri to avoid arrest. The charges brought against her include sexual contact with a student, fourth-degree child molestation, second-degree statutory rape, and first-degree child endangerment.
The victim’s father, Mark Creighton, has also been implicated in the case. He was charged with child endangerment and is currently in jail on a $50,000 bond. Creighton is accused of knowing about the relationship between his son and Clifton-Carmack and allowing it to continue, stating that he “may as well let it happen.”
The allegations against Clifton-Carmack came to light on December 7 when a fellow student reported her to the school administration. The student witness claimed that Clifton-Carmack had a history of inappropriate behavior, including discussing her sex life in class and dressing provocatively.
The student witness presented Pulaski County investigators with photographs showing scratch marks on the victim’s back, allegedly made by Clifton-Carmack. Witnesses also reported that Clifton-Carmack would use other students as “lookouts” during her sexual encounters with the 16-year-old victim during school hours.
Court documents from Pulaksi County show that Clifton-Carmack’s husband filed for divorce in August 2023. The couple has two children. Clifton-Carmack denied any sexual relationships with students when questioned by detectives, but incriminating text messages were found on her phone after a warrant was obtained. She left Missouri to visit family in Texas around December 23 and is currently awaiting extradition back to Missouri.