Police: Former Gwinnett County teacher arrested for sexual assault
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A former metro Atlanta teacher is accused of sexually assaulting one of her students, according to investigators.
Police said Therese Gunn, 53, was arrested Friday night after turning herself into authorities.
Last month, police were called to a home in unincorporated Snellville after a woman claimed that her 17-year-old son had been having a sexual relationship with Gunn, who taught at South Gwinnett High School.
According to a police report, the mother told detectives the relationship began sometime in March and has since ended. Investigators said the sexual activity allegedly occurred at the school, at Gunn's home and at Lenora Park.
"The sexual misconduct happened both at the school, at the teachers home in Grayson and also at Lenora Park,” said Corporal Deon Washington, Gwinnett County Police Department.
Gwinnett County police said while investigating they learned Gunn hosted a party at her Grayson home and during the gathering she is accused of allowing the 17-year-old male and two other female students to smoke marijuana under her direct supervision.
"Where marijuana was used by the teacher, the student in question and also two additional students as well," said Corp. Washington.
The educator is also accused of smoking marijuana that evening.
Gunn has since resigned from her teaching position and was arrested on Friday. She was charged with one count of sexual assault and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The School District said in a statement, “Ms. Gunn resigned. The matter is now in the hands of police and prosecutors and we are confident that the case will be handled in the appropriate manner.”
Gbadebo Shobaoyo, the father of a son and daughter at South Gwinnett High School was shocked by the allegations against Ms. Gunn.
"I think it's kind of hard to digest because no parent would expect a teacher to behave like that to vulnerable kids,' said Shobaoyo.
A woman leaving South Gwinnett High School who would not identify herself to Fox 5 News defended Ms. Gunn. "I believe she's innocent. I know the family personally and I do not believe she would do that," she said.
Gunn bonded out of jail early Saturday morning.