Rebecca Ryan (Photo courtesy Outagamie County Sheriff's Office)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Former Appleton West High School teacher Rebecca Ryan pleaded not guilty Wednesday to allegations she had an ongoing sexual relationship with a student.
Ryan, 43, faces three counts of sexual assault of a student by a staff member.
No trial date was set. Ryan returns to court Sept 2.
A defense request to reduce the cash bond from $50,000 cash — which has been posted — to $5,000 cash was denied Wednesday.
The victim reported the incidents to police earlier this year. He said they had sex several times. The first time was in an overflow parking lot of the high school, and others were in different parking lots. The alleged encounters took place between Sept. 1, 2017, and Jan. 1, 2018.
In April, police recorded a call the victim made to Ryan, who said she is now a nanny. He tried to ask about the alleged interactions while he was in high school, but Ryan did not respond, the complaint states.
Police later interviewed Ryan. According to the criminal complaint:
Sgt. Schnese further reports that he asked Rebecca about her first sexual encounter with VICTIM 1 that took place in the overflow parking lot near Appleton West. Rebecca mumbled to herself, “overflow lot. Near Appleton West?” Rebecca indicated she did not remember being in the overflow lot with VICTIM 1. Sgt. Schnese reports that he looked over at Rebecca and observed that she was breathing with shallow breaths. Shortly thereafter, Rebecca placed her head in her hands and said, “I did not sleep with [VICTIM 1].”
After Ryan’s arrest, the Appleton School District issued this statement:
Rebecca Ryan was employed by the Appleton Area School District from August 29, 2016, through February 9, 2018. During her time with the district, there were no reports or allegations involving inappropriate contact with students. We are committed to partnering with the Appleton Police Department as needed to support any ongoing investigations.
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