A former Alpena Public Schools teacher is facing multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct involving children after a joint investigation by Michigan State Police and the Alpena Police Department.

Heather Winfield, 38, of Alpena taught at Alpena Public Schools from October 2012 until she resigned in November 2016, according to the school district.

Her Linkedin.com page lists her as a special ed teacher at Thunder Bay Junior High School.

The investigation into allegations of sexual assault began in 2016 until July 2018, according to Alpena County Prosecutor K. Edward Black.

Winfield was arraigned on Monday.

She is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault with a child under 13; one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct during the commission of a felony; one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child 13-15; second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13; accosting a minor for immoral purposes; and using a computer to commit a crime.

If convicted, Winfield could face life in prison.

The news comes less than a week after a former Rochester teacher was charged with six counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Kathryn Houghtaling, a 26-year-old special education teacher at Rochester High School, was accused of engaging in sexual acts with two underage students.

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Alpena Public Schools released a statement Winfield's case:

"Alpena Public Schools is committed to the safety, security, and quality of the learning environment for all of our students. We will always take proper action in alignment with our board policies and Michigan law to maintain a safe environment. ... Alpena Public Schools has cooperated with this investigation from the beginning and will continue to cooperate moving forward."

The district declined to comment further, citing privacy laws.