Nebraska Teacher Arrested After Being Caught Naked with Teen Student in Car

Erin Ward, a 45-year-old substitute Nebraska teacher at Omaha Public Schools, was arrested after being caught naked with a teenage student in a car, leading to accusations of misconduct.

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson confirmed her arrest on a charge of first-degree sexual abuse by a school employee.

Sheriff's deputies reacted to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Elkhorn shortly before 3 AM on Saturday.

They found a Nebraska teacher and a teenage boy inside a gray Honda Pilot.

The teenage boy sped away, crashed nearby, then fled the scene naked.

Meanwhile, Ward was discovered in the backseat, dressing herself.

The incident has raised concerns, and Ward faces serious legal consequences, USA Today reports.

Law enforcement is investigating, and Omaha Public Schools is expected to take action to ensure student safety.

Alleged Confession and Charges

Erin Ward, 45, reportedly admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old boy, a student at Burke High School, where she worked.

She faces charges of felony abuse by a school employee.

Ward is accused of betraying her husband, who is a director at the US Department of Defense, by having an affair with the student.

The couple, based in Gretna, has three children together, according to social media posts, Daily Mail noted.

Doug Ward has worked for nearly 20 years with the US Strategic Command, a branch of the Defense Department located at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha.

His LinkedIn profile shows he began his career in 2005 as deputy branch chief and was recently promoted to deputy director of the commander's action group.

He holds degrees from the University of Illinois, Bellevue University, and Harvard Extension School.

Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in defense and strategic studies at Missouri State University, as indicated on LinkedIn.

Law Enforcement Response

The Strategic Command, based in Omaha, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation and its allies by identifying and thwarting potential threats.

Doug received acknowledgment for his achievements and completed a master's program in political science and government at Harvard Extension School in 2021.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, he proudly shared a photo of his virtual graduation, tagging it with #couchcommencement.

Doug and his wife Erin live in Gretna, near Omaha, with their three teenage children, including an adopted daughter in 10th grade.

Their social media highlights their kids' academic successes.

Doug also speaks out against child abuse in the Catholic Church and shares family updates and retweets from Erin's account.

In November, Ward showed her love for Omaha Burke High School with a photo of her school lanyard and keys.

As a Nebraska teacher across the metro, Ward allegedly encountered an individual at Burke High on April 13.

Confessing to sleeping with the teenage boy, according to the New York Post, she was discovered with the student in a vehicle prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Both individuals incurred minor injuries from the accident and were subsequently admitted to the hospital.

Although the legal age of consent in Nebraska is 16, Ward is confronted with a Class IIA felony charge, which could lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is working with Omaha Public Schools on the ongoing investigation.

Following Ward's arrest, Burke High's principal, Darren Rasmussen, reassured the community of the school's dedication to student safety.

He also announced that the individual involved would not be returning and mentioned that counseling support is available for students who require it.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

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