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'Teacher Of The Year' Accused Of Sex With 14-Year-Old Student She Lived With

by Sean Levinson

A decorated Washington elementary school teacher has been accused of having sex with a former student, starting when he was just 14 years old.

Daily Mail reports that 41-year-old Darcy Smith, who was named "Teacher of the Year" in 2012, has been on administrative leave since August following an investigation that began several months beforehand.

The boy, now 19, allegedly moved into Smith's Renton, WA, home with her husband and children when he was 12 years old and had Smith as his sixth-grade teacher.

Smith had reportedly brought him to the hospital when he broke his collarbone, and then took him in because her house was closer to the doctor's office than his own.

His mother agreed to let her son live with Smith to prevent him from going down the same path as his brother, who was in a gang, according to official documents.

The student alleges that Smith would give him gifts and show affection at night as she drank wine.

They reportedly began having sex when the boy was 14, and continued to do so until he moved out in 2012.

The boy told authorities that Smith warned him she'd go to jail if anyone found out about their relationship.

It wasn't until last May that he came forward to the King County Sheriff's Office.

Smith was charged with three counts of third-degree rape of a child earlier this week, according to the Seattle Times.

The Highline School District, which Smith has been an employee of since 2001, sent out a letter to her students informing them of the charges.

Smith has received multiple awards from the district and was called "truly exceptional in her practice" when she won its Gold Star Award in 2012.

She is scheduled to appear in court next week.

Citations: Married elementary school teacher voted Teacher of the Year 2012 accused of having sex with 14 year old student (Daily Mail), Highline School District teacher accused of raping former student (Seattle Times)