Lockhart teacher Sarah Fowlkes arrested for alleged improper relationship with student

Sarah Madden Fowlkes, 27, faces a charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony. Sarah Madden Fowlkes, 27, faces a charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony. Photo: Lockhart Police Department Photo: Lockhart Police Department Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close Lockhart teacher Sarah Fowlkes arrested for alleged improper relationship with student 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

A Lockhart High School science teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a student has been arrested and suspended from her job.

Sarah M. Fowlkes, 27, who has worked for the school district since October 2014, turned herself in at the Lockhart Police Station late Monday morning on a warrant and was booked into the Caldwell County Jail, police said. Lockhart is about 35 miles southeast of Austin.

According to the police department, officers received a report March 10 from a school administrator at Lockhart High School about a possible inappropriate relationship between a student and a teacher. The investigation led a Lockhart detective to a 17-year-old male student, who had been in contact in person and by message with Fowlkes. Their contact was of a sexual nature, police said.

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In a statement on its website, Lockhart Independent School District said Monday that Fowlkes had been suspended and that notice of her conduct was being sent to the State Board for Educator Certification.

After learning about the alleged behavior March 10, before the start of spring break, district officials contacted Child Protective Services as well as the Lockhart Police Department, the statement said.

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"Lockhart parents entrust their children to us every day, and it is something we do not take lightly," Superintendent Susan Bohn said in the statement. "Student safety is the district's most important priority. As soon as we learned of the report, we acted swiftly to involve law enforcement and CPS to conduct a thorough investigation. The district does not and will not tolerate any improper communication or contact between a teacher and child."

Parents were notified by email Monday afternoon of Fowlke's arrest and suspension, the statement said.