Missouri math teacher Hailey Clifton-Carmack pleads guilty to sexual contact with a 16-year-old student. Other students acted as lookouts. The victim's father faces charges for allegedly condoning the relationship. Teacher awaits sentencing, facing up to four years in prison. The case shocks the community and raises concerns about student safety.
A 26-year-old Missouri math teacher has pleaded guilty to having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student. The teacher, Hailey Clifton-Carmack, admitted to sexual contact with the minor, a charge that could result in up to four years of imprisonment.
The illicit relationship came to light when another student reported it to authorities, providing photographic evidence of physical marks allegedly left by the teacher on the victim. The incident reportedly occurred in the witness's driveway, with other students acting as lookouts.
Clifton-Carmack, a divorced mother of two, had previously been cautioned about her closeness to students and choice of attire. Initially denying the allegations, evidence from her confiscated phone later corroborated the claims.
The teacher fled to Texas before her eventual arrest in January 2024. She faced multiple charges, including statutory rape and child endangerment, but her guilty plea to sexual contact with a student allowed her to avoid these more serious accusations.
In a related development, the victim's father, Mark Creighton, faces charges of child endangerment for allegedly knowing about and condoning the relationship. Prosecutors claim he allowed the teacher to visit his son at their home and was prepared to lie to protect them.
The case has shocked the local community and raised questions about student safety and parental responsibility. Clifton-Carmack awaits sentencing on October 11, while Creighton's case is on hold pending the teacher's sentencing.
