Former Mid-East Teacher Had Relationship with Student

A former Mid-East Career and Technology Center high school government teacher faces charges for her alleged relationship with an underage male student.

32-year-old Bridget Todd pled guilty to sexual battery and pandering obscenity involving a minor, both felony counts, in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning.

The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation back in September after the school notified deputies of the situation. Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor, Ron Welch, says Todd’s relationship with the 17-year-old began in May.

"It included acts of sexual intercourse with her in the classroom. The investigation also revealed that between June 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010, the defendant and victim exchanged various images of each other while nude," says Welch.

Judge Mark Fleegle ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set Todd’s bond at $50,000, despite her defense attorney’s attempt at a recognizance bond.

"Ms. Todd is currently unemployed, has no income. She has no prior record of any sort, criminal-felony or misdemeanor," says Defense Attorney David Mortimer.

Mortimer says Todd is also married and has two young children.

She is being held in the Muskingum County Jail. Welch says Todd could face six and a half years in prison. She could also be classified as a Tier-III sex offender.