Jessenia Rodriguez, 22, faces four counts of sexual conduct with a minor after investigators allege she met the 15-year-old student for several encounters
NEED TO KNOW
- Jessenia Rodriguez, 22, is charged with four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, according to court records reviewed by PEOPLE
- Investigators allege the 15-year-old student reported multiple encounters and shared messages, including photos of positive pregnancy tests, according to reports
- Police allege Rodriguez was arrested after authorities reviewed the teen’s phone, and her bond was set at $100,000 cash-only
A former Arizona school aide is facing felony charges after police allege she had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student and sent him photos of positive pregnancy tests.
Jessenia Rodriguez, 22, was arrested and charged with four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, according to Maricopa County Superior Court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
The investigation began after the student's stepmother heard a rumor and, at the urging of other parents, searched the boy's phone, where she found messages suggesting an inappropriate relationship, according to AZFamily, FOX 10 Phoenixand ABC15 Arizona, which cite court documents.
The 15-year-old told investigators the sexual contact began when the two flirted during recess and exchanged phone numbers, and that they met on multiple occasions, the outlets reported. He said the encounters took place in March at his home and other locations nearby, per the documents, the outlets reported.
About two weeks after their first encounter, Rodriguez allegedly sent the teen photos of positive pregnancy tests and discussed getting an abortion, investigators said, according to the outlets.
Credit: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
Investigators allegedly recovered dozens of messages between the two, including texts and Snapchat exchanges in which Rodriguez told the teen she was “craving” him and described a sexual dream, the outlets reported, citing the court documents. Authorities allege she also told him not to tell anyone and warned she could get in trouble.
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After the teen's parents discovered the alleged messages, he placed a call to Rodriguez while police listened, telling her his parents had found out, according to the outlets. She initially denied the allegations and said she felt like she was being “set up,” investigators said.
During a police interview, Rodriguez allegedly admitted to multiple encounters with the teen but disputed one of the incidents, the outlets reported. Authorities alleged she acknowledged knowing the boy's age and that her actions were wrong.
Credit: Google Maps
Police later searched Rodriguez's home and arrested her, authorities said. She was booked into jail, and her bond was set at $100,000 cash-only, according to FOX 10 Phoenix and AZFamily.
Sun Valley Academy said in a statement shared by the outlets that Rodriguez is a former employee and that the alleged conduct did not occur on campus but was reported to police immediately.
“The safety and well-being of our scholars is our highest priority and we take this seriously. We are aware of an allegation involving a former employee and a scholar,” the school said. “Although the incident did not occur on campus, the matter was immediately reported to the Avondale Police Department and we are cooperating fully with their investigation.”
Police said the investigation is ongoing and that no other students are believed to be involved, ABC15 Arizona reported.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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