ST. JAMES, MO – A special education teacher from Missouri is facing serious charges after allegedly sending explicit videos to a 16-year-old student and inviting him over for sexual encounters during her husband’s absence, according to court documents.
The investigation into 25-year-old Rikki Laughlin, who is employed by a school district in St. James, was initiated by the Maries County Sheriff’s Office following a tip-off about an inappropriate relationship.
The student, who met with Detective Dale Harp on Oct. 20, reportedly detailed how Laughlin had pursued him and attempted to seduce him. According to the student, Laughlin had initiated contact through Snapchat and their relationship escalated quickly. The student even claimed they had shared a kiss within the school premises.
Court documents reveal that Laughlin had allegedly asked the student for explicit photos, to which he complied twice. The student also claimed that Laughlin had sent him explicit photos and videos of herself. On Oct. 14, she allegedly invited him to her home for sexual intercourse while her husband was out of town. The student, however, made several excuses to avoid the meeting as he felt uncomfortable.
As rumors started circulating in the school, Laughlin allegedly instructed the student to erase the explicit materials. The student recalled a conversation where Laughlin admitted to the possibility of facing jail time for her actions.
The student had retained one explicit photo of Laughlin, which he handed over to the detective. On the same day, Harp interviewed Laughlin at her home, where she resides with her infant daughter and husband. She admitted to communicating with the student via Snapchat but claimed that he had initiated the contact and that she had attempted to end the inappropriate relationship multiple times.
Upon being confronted with the evidence of explicit photos and videos she had sent to the student, Laughlin reportedly claimed ignorance of the student’s minor status. When informed of the illegality of exchanging explicit materials with a minor, she requested legal representation.
Investigators reportedly found explicit videos on Laughlin’s cellphone. She is now facing charges of child pornography possession, two counts of tampering, attempted statutory rape, sexual exploitation of a minor, sex trafficking a child, and providing pornographic materials to a minor, as per the criminal complaint.
Laughlin was released on a $100,000 bond, court records show. Her attorney, Timothy Cisar, has declined to comment on the case.
Tim Webster, the School District Superintendent, stated that Laughlin, who taught juniors at the high school, has been placed on administrative leave. He assured that the district is taking the allegations seriously and is actively cooperating with law enforcement agencies.