DEWITT -- A former OCM BOCES teaching assistant is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.
Christen Hayes, 30, of 164 Castle Creek Road in Binghamton is charged with rape, criminal sexual act, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawfully dealing with a child.
Onondaga County Sheriff's deputies started investigating Hayes in October. Detectives say she was having a sexual relationship with a student younger than 17-years-old. She's accused of engaging in sexual activity with the student on several occasions from June 2009 through February 2010.
Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh says Hayes first saw the student at Kasson Road school. Investigators say the two started talking on MySpace, then met in person after talking online.
School officials say Hayes was employed by BOCES from July 2006 through August 2010. She was employed as a teacher for the summer of 2010 at the Onondaga Road Elementary school. At the end of the summer, Hayes resigned for personal reasons.
“We take the allegations very seriously and remain committed to providing the safest possible learning environment for our students and staff," said District Superintendent Jessica Cohen. "The safety and welfare of our students is a high priority and any situations that involve the welfare of our students are of tremendous concern to us. OCM BOCES will in no way condone or tolerate this type of misconduct."
BOCES officials say as soon as they were notified of the allegations against Hayes, they promptly notified the State Education department so they could investigate.
Hayes was arraigned in DeWitt Town Court. She was sent to the Onondaga County Justice Center, where she posted $10,000 cash bail.
