Shelbyville teacher accused of sexual relationship with minor

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - A Shelbyville Middle School teacher is facing 13 felony charges after police say she had sexual relations with children and provided them with alcohol and marijuana.

Bethany Appleton, 28, is accused of having sexual relations with a minor at her home. Shelbyville Police Department officials also said she would sometimes drink and smoke marijuana with at least one of the alleged victims.

Investigators say there are several possible victims in the case. The alleged acts took place between April 11, 2011 and May 12, 2012.

According to the probable cause affidavit investigators were tipped off by Indiana Department of Child Services.

The agency was looking into the 28-year-old's past after she was accused of inviting high school boys over for pizza and sex. When questioned, a 15-year-old boy admitted he had sex with Appleton during a three month period starting in November 2011.

The court documents use only the victims’ initials to protect their identity. The report goes one to say several other students told police they smoked marijuana and drank alcohol with the teacher.

Shelbyville Central Schools released a statement that said Appleton does not work for the district as of Aug. 6.

A classroom website that appears to have been setup by Appleton says she is originally from Trafalgar and began as a mild disabilities teacher at Shelbyville Middle School in Fall 2008. The website also said Appleton’s family is known for teaching.

Appleton’s attorney appeared in court Wednesday. Seven no contact orders were requested. The teacher was charged with four counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, one count of child seduction, one count of maintaining a common nuisance, and seven counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.