A 49-year-old kindergarten teacher from Alabama, Heather Ozment, was arrested on Friday morning amid serious sexual misconduct allegations involving local teenagers. Ozment, an instructor at Calera Elementary School and awarded Teacher of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year, faces multiple charges, including first and second-degree sexual abuse and enticing a child for immoral purposes.
According to the Calera Police Department, the alleged incidents occurred outside of school hours and did not involve her students or take place on school property. Chief of Police David Hyche emphasized the importance of diligently investigating allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors, stating that protecting vulnerable members of the community is critical.
The allegations came to light in April, and school officials confirmed that Ozment was placed on leave pending the outcome of law enforcement investigations. While details on the timing of the alleged offenses are still unclear, the investigations have been aided by Owens House, a children’s advocacy organization, conducting forensic interviews with potential victims.
Ozment was booked at the Shelby County Jail and released the same day. The investigation continues, leaving the community in shock over the allegations against a once-celebrated educator.
Source: www.foxnews.com
