HOT SPRINGS, AR – A former Fountain Lake teacher is arrested and charged with sexual assault of a student and computer child pornography.
According to the Garland County Sheriff's report, 34-year-old Timothy O'Shields had inappropriate contact with a 17-year-old girl at school and sent her sexual pictures of himself.
Fountain Lake School District Superintendent Darin Beckwith says law enforcement was contacted as soon as allegations that English teacher Timothy O'Shields sent a 17-year-old student a picture of his penis, requesting oral sex. "Our kids safety will and always has been our number one priority here at Fountain Lake, making sure our kids are safe."
The report from the Garland County Sheriff's office says O'Shields asked the girl to sneak out of her house to meet him several times a week for sex acts, and that he kissed and groped the girl two different times at school.
Students say that behavior does not fit the teacher they know from class. Students describe him as funny and easy to get a long with, and they're upset by the allegations.
According to investigators, the girl's parents found out and confronted O'Shields. The report says he apologized for his actions and sent a message to the mother saying he would resign from teaching, pay for counseling, and offered them additional money. O'Shields did resign from the school. He's out of jail and back home with his family. FOX 16 tried to talk to O'Shields but no one answered the door.
Neighbors say they're sick over the allegations. Randy Johnson lives across the street. "Somebody needs to keep him away from the kids. They should make him move out of the neighborhood away from the wife and kid."
Jennifer Halcombe knows Mrs. O'Shields. "I feel very bad for the wife for the cheating and for it being a minor. I feel very bad for her."
O'Shields appears in court February 14th.
Timeline of events, according to the facts constituting probable cause- Nov 22nd: Oshields initiates contact with victim via Facebook
- Dec 31st: Mother receives text from Oshields, who thinks he is communicating with victim. Mother’s fiancée confronts Oshields, who thinks victim is sneaking out of her home
- Dec 31st: Oshields sends apology message to victim
- Jan 3rd: Oshields sends message to mother, promising counseling and money for victim
- Jan 6th: Affiant notified of investigation, speaks with mother
- Jan 24: Oshields arrested, charged with computer child pornography and 2nd degree sexual assault
