ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. -- A high school English teacher in Lisbon is facing felony charges after admitting to police that she had sex with a 15-year-old student.
Christel Gravlin, 33, was arraigned in Lisbon Town Court Monday. She is charged with third degree rape, a third degree criminal sexual act,and endangering the welfare of a child. Police say that she had an affair with a 15-year-old Lisbon High School student.
A Lisbon teacher is charged with rape after telling police she had an affair with a 15-year-old male student. Christel Gravlin, 33, told police that she and the student had sex at her home on November 25th.
"They knew each other from school and then communication really. I guess the whole relationship evolved through the computer on the internet," said Detective Sgt. Augustus Burns.
Gravlin told police that she and the student met off school grounds on November 25th. Gravlin then drove the student to her home, where they had sex.
Police say that alcohol was not involved in the incident and that there appear to be no other victims.
"We have no information from any other kids that there was anybody else involved in a relationship with Ms. Gravlin," said Burns.
Police say students overheard an intoxicated Gravlin at a basketball game and brought the subject to their attention, which prompted a further investigation.
"They came to me and they were a little upset with the way it was brought up at the game and how it was disclosed and what was being said about some of the players on the court at the time and some of the other kids that were there," said Burns
Investigators are calling this a clear violation of trust.
"Anytime you have a teacher who is entrusted with watching your kid and teaching them, I think you have to look at if the trust had been violated and in this case I think it was," said Burns.
Gravlin is married with children. She was released under supervisory probation and told to have no contact with the victim.
Gravlin also told police that she had tried unsuccessfully to end the relationship and that she had problems with depression. She said the last time she talked to the student was December 1st, when she told him she was going to quit her job and change her cell phone number.
News 10 Now tried contacting the superintendent today, but our calls were not returned. As of today Gravlin's name is still on the school's website.