Teacher who allegedly molested teen student also bought him a gun for his birthday: authorities

Authorities in Wisconsin have brought charges against a teacher in connection with the sexual assault of an eighth-grader who was her student. Besides the alleged assault, prosecutors also said 34-year-old Tyesha Bolden purchased a gun for the student for his 14th birthday, Fox News Digital reported.

Prosecutors said the teen had the gun in his possession when he later fled from home. Bolden and the teen student met while she was a teacher at Pilgrim Lutheran School, and they exchanged over 2,200 text messages, court documents stated. Some of the content allegedly included nude photos and flirtatious comments.

Court documents also stated that on a particular night that the teen was sleeping, his parents got hold of his phone and came across a photo Bolden sent him. She allegedly took that photo while topless and police also found other nude images. 

Police also allege Bolden sexually assaulted the teen after taking him to a wooded location in June. The teen informed police that Bolden later bought him a gun after requesting it. The victim said he told Bolden he needed the gun because he couldn’t be outdoors without “protection.”

Bolden purchased the gun together with ammunition and books and then handed them over to the teen for his 14th birthday, per Fox News Digital. The teen also told police that in July, he asked Bolden for money and another firearm. And though Bolden gave the teen $1000, she refused to get him the gun. They then ceased communication.

Court documents stated that the teen’s parents contacted police on July 25 to report his disappearance. His mother also suggested he could be staying with Bolden at her home. Police ultimately pulled him over on July 28, with authorities stating that he was in possession of the gun the teacher bought for him.

An administrator at the school ultimately asked Bolden about the allegations after police notified her about the suspect’s actions. Bolden admitted that the eighth-grader spent “a night at her residence earlier this year.”

The administrator contacted the police and Bolden was terminated. The accused teacher, who was arrested, faces felony charges of second-degree child sex assault and giving a dangerous weapon to a child, Fox News Digital reported. She was released this week after posting a $2,500 bond.

Bolden could, however, receive a 40-year prison sentence if she’s found guilty of the charges.