Missouri Teacher Pleads Guilty to Statutory Rape, Admits to Leaving Claw Marks on Student’s Back

A Missouri school teacher who allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a student while her classmates acted as lookouts has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. Hailey Clifton-Carmack, 27, admitted to one count of sexual contact with a student in a plea deal that saw prosecutors drop more serious charges, including first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree statutory rape, and fourth-degree child molestation.

The allegations against Clifton-Carmack stem from her alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old student. According to police, the boy’s father was aware of the relationship and even encouraged it. The Garden Ridge Police Department arrested Clifton-Carmack on an outstanding warrant in Texas earlier this year and extradited her back to Missouri. She is now under house arrest pending her sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for October 11.

Court documents reveal that Clifton-Carmack told the student “he was the reason her divorce was pushed through” and that they had engaged in sexual activity on multiple occasions, including at the student’s home. Other students allegedly acted as lookouts while the pair had sex during school hours.

The school district has launched an investigation into the matter and has confirmed that Clifton-Carmack is no longer employed. Superintendent Kent Stoumbaugh issued a statement expressing the district’s shock and disappointment over the allegations.

Clifton-Carmack’s husband, Chance Carmack, filed for divorce last year. The details of their separation have been largely kept private.

As part of the plea deal, Clifton-Carmack faces up to four years in prison under Missouri’s Sex Offender Assessment Program. The outcome of this case has raised serious questions about the school district’s policies and procedures for monitoring student-teacher interactions.