Curt Smith

Lansing State Journal

JACKSON — A former Leslie Public Schools teacher is in the Jackson County Jail on charges she had sex with a student in the district.

Jackson police arrested Jamee Hiatt, 31, of Grass Lake, Friday. She resigned as a third-grade teacher at Leslie’s Woodworth Elementary a day before she was arrested.

Haitt was charged Monday with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which stems from the age of the student and her position of authority, and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jerald Jarzynka said Hiatt had sexual contact with a now 14-year-old student beginning sometime between May 2014 and the day she was arrested. He also said there may have been multiple incidents but was not more specific.

Ex-teacher of at-risk teens accused of sex acts

Hiatt was listed as a member of the Leslie Middle School staff as recently as 2013, according to the school district's website.

She faces up to life in prison if convicted on the first-degree charge.

Jackson District Court Judge Darryl Mazur set Hiatt's bond at $250,000, and she remained in the Jackson County Jail Wednesday afternoon, an official said.

“These cases are sad and difficult," Hiatt’s attorney, Phillip Berkemeier said. "They present tragedies to everybody involved.”

Jarzynka said police in the city of Jackson got involved because “some of the case involved contact in the city of Jackson.”

Jackson police did not return a call seeking comment.

Judge to ex-teacher: �You manipulated a child�

Leslie Superintendent Jeff Manthei said he was shocked to learn of the allegations. He said he was notified by state Child Protective Services of an investigation on Friday, Jan. 15. On Tuesday, Jan. 19, when school resumed following the holiday weekend, Hiatt was put on administrative leave.

“It’s a sad incident, and we’re waiting to see how the court proceedings play out,” he said Wednesday.

Contact Curt Smith at (517) 377-1226 or csmith@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @CurtSmithLSJ.

What's next

A preliminary hearing for Jamee Hiatt in Jackson County District Court is scheduled for Feb. 11 before Judge Darryl Mazur.