Douglas County teacher accused of sleeping with student twice: warrants

Community reacts to teacher's sexual assault arrest

A Douglas County high school is in shock after a 25-year-old biology teacher and director of the football program, Maris Nichols, was arrested for two counts of sexual assault of a student.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - A 25-year-old Douglas County teacher has been arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority, according to jail records.

Alexander High School teacher arrested

What we know:

Maris Nichols was booked into the Douglas County Jail on Friday, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Her arrest follows an announcement earlier in the week from the school district stating a female teacher had been put on leave during an investigation. Nichols taught biology at Alexander High School and, according to posts on her Facebook account, worked with the school's football team.

According to warrants obtained by FOX 5, Nichols slept with the same student twice. 

The first time allegedly happened on April 23 in a closet between her classroom and another classroom, according to police. The second time happened on May 2 in a Hummer outside a home in Douglasville. 

Douglas County school investigation

What they're saying:

District officials said they launched an investigation immediately after learning about the alleged misconduct involving an employee at Alexander High. School leaders say the behavior being investigated is unacceptable and violates professional standards. The district is currently cooperating with state and local law enforcement.

School district officials said they are deeply troubled by the allegations and launched an investigation as soon as they learned of the misconduct. "Student safety is the district’s highest priority," the district said in a statement. "The alleged behavior is unacceptable and violates the professional standards all employees are required to uphold". Local resident Jake Herrera said it is "very unprofessional" to have teachers in relationships with children. 

Unanswered district details

What we don't know:

While one victim has been identified, investigators are still looking into whether there are more victims. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has not confirmed the exact age of the student. 

She made her first court appearance on Friday morning. Her lawyers left the courthouse Friday without making a comment. 

What's next:

Nichols is being held in jail on a $40,000 bond. Her photos have been removed from the school website, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says the case remains very active.