Saturday, March 07, 2009

Deputies arrest Cottonwood teacher on charges of sexual conduct with student

By JON HUTCHINSON
Special to the Courier

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Emili Kay Daniels

Yavapai County sheriff's deputies have arrested a teacher at American Heritage Academy on charges of having sex with a student.

Deputies went to the school Thursday after the school principal reported catching the teacher and student in a compromising situation.

The principal, Leonard Miller, told sheriff's detectives he tried to enter biology teacher Emili Kay Daniels' classroom, but the door was locked. After unlocking it, the principal saw Daniels and a 17-year-old male student near the teacher's desk. The student's pants were undone, exposing his underwear. Both teacher and student initially denied any sexual activity.

He separated Daniels and the student, and they remained on campus for the arrival of sheriff's investigators. During the subsequent investigation Thursday and Friday, the student admitted that he was having a relationship with Daniels that started this past October. The 17-year-old student said that in November, the relationship became sexual. He reported that at least three sexual encounters occurred in or around the classroom.

Detectives now also are reviewing text messages and e-mails related to the relationship.

Daniels is 34 years old and lives in Camp Verde.

After the investigation, deputies arrested Daniels and booked her into the Camp Verde Jail on charges of three counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Sheriff's investigators are asking anyone with additional information about Daniels or this situation to call Detective Shonna Willingham at 928-554-8714.

Jon Hutchinson is a reporter for the Verde Independent/Camp Verde Bugle.