Crime & Safety

Stamford Teacher Is Accused of Sexual Assault of Student

The Stamford High School teacher reportedly threatened to fail the student if he didn't continue sexual encounters.


A Stamford High School English teacher is in custody, facing charges she had a sexual relationship with a student whom she threatened to fail if he didn't continue their liaisons.

According to reports, Danielle Watkins, 32, of Fort Point Street in Norwalk, surrendered Thursday to Stamford Police who obtained arrest warrants charging her  with two counts second-degree sexual assault and sale of marijuana in connection with the relationship that took place between September 2013 and June 2014.

According to NBC Connecticut and The Advocate, the Stamford Police Department Special Investigations Unit learned of the allegations on June 23. The student, now 18, reportedly went to police three days later and told investigators about the sexual encounters that took place in Watkins' car during school hours, but not on school grounds.

On June 27, police obtained search warrants for her home, car and cell phone on which they found thousands of calls and messages between the teacher and student, as well as naked photos of Watkins that were reportedly sent to the student, according to the report.

“The male victim stated that Watkins also provided him and a friend with marijuana and they would smoke marijuana on and off the school grounds during school hours. Also, that Watkins sent her naked text messages of herself and that she allowed him to use her vehicle while knowing he had no license,” police said, according to WTNH.

Police also learned she provided marijuana to a 15-year-old student and smoked the dope with the student in her car on school grounds during school hours, according to reports. Watkins is facing sale of marijuana and risk of injury to a minor charges.

A total of $100,000 bond was set on all the charges and she is scheduled to appear July 31 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

The complete NBC Connecticut story can be found here.


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