Christine A. McCallum: Fired Teacher Pleads Not Guilty To Rape (Video, Photo)

A Rockland, Massachusetts elementary school teacher, 29 year old Christine A. McCallum, has been charged with carrying on an 18 month sexual relationship with a boy that began when he was 13 years old.

McCallum was arrested at her home on Thursday night, January 8, 2009, according to Rockland police chief John Llewellyn. McCallum pleaded not guilty today in Brockton District Court to three counts of statutory rape in Abington and then moved on to Hingham District Court to be arraigned on four additional counts of statutory rape in Rockland.

The fifth grade teacher was accompanied to court by her husband of five years, Scott McCallum, who stood by her side during the court proceedings.

The teacher was fired today from Woodsdale Elementary School in Abington according to Superintendent Peter G. Schafer. He released a statement that said: "We are aware and are deeply concerned about the disturbing allegations against her, and we will be fully cooperating with the authorities."

According to the complaint, McCallum was working as a teacher's aide and was tutoring the boy's younger brother when the relationship began. The boy is now 16 years old and his father recently discovered letters between his son and McCallum and went to authorities. The teen admitted to police that he had engaged in sex with the woman every other day for a year and a half. She reportedly gave him a cellphone so that the two could communicate.

McCallum told authorities that she had become a surrogate mother to the boy, who lives in Abington and is being raised by a single father. Authorities believe they have sufficient evidence to suggest that she plied the boy with alcohol and the relationship progressed to a sexual one.

The accused woman's attorney, Frederick McDermott, indicates there is no evidence to suggest that the relationship was sexual. His client reportedly ended the relationship in July 2007 when she caught the boy stealing liquor from her home.

McCallum has been ordered to surrender her passport, must wear a GPS tracking monitor and stay away from the boy, his family and all children under the age of 16 years of age.

Check out more photos (two from her Facebook page) and video of her court appearance earlier today.