A former North Carolina high school counselor has been arrested after investigators alleged she engaged in a sexual relationship with an underage student on school property.
Amber Elizabeth Walker, 39, of Greensboro, was taken into custody in connection with allegations involving a male student at Asheboro High School, where she had worked as a school counselor and girls’ basketball coach.
According to investigators, authorities received a tip claiming Walker had sexual contact with the student while on campus. Court documents state investigators “quickly developed evidence confirming the allegation.”
Officials have not released the student’s exact age or grade level, but authorities confirmed he was under 18.
Walker was arrested on May 8 and charged in connection with the alleged relationship.
In a statement, Asheboro City Schools confirmed Walker was no longer employed by the district as of the date of her arrest.
“Asheboro City Schools is aware that a former employee of the district has been taken into custody in connection with alleged inappropriate activity,” the district said. “This matter is currently being handled through the criminal justice system. Due to state and federal privacy laws, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
School officials added that student and staff safety remains the district’s top priority and said inappropriate conduct is “strictly prohibited.”
The case comes weeks after another North Carolina school counselor received a lengthy prison sentence in a separate abuse case involving a student.
Jessica Finley, a former counselor and volleyball coach at McDowell High School, pleaded guilty in April to multiple charges tied to a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student.
Authorities said the investigation began after the teen’s parents discovered text messages between their daughter and Finley and reported them to school officials. Prosecutors alleged that Finley groomed the student and engaged in sexual activity with her, including incidents that took place inside a school office.
Finley pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges involving a child under the age of 15 and was sentenced to up to 40 years in prison.
