An Ohio woman who formerly worked as a teacher in Washington, D.C., was arrested Friday for sexually abusing a boy from 2009 to 2014, starting when he was 14.
According to WLJA, a mandated reporter at Two Rivers Public Charter School alerted authorities last year to the relationship between Joan Meyer, 45, and the victim, called “Z.J.” in documents. Z.J. reportedly revealed in emails that he had a sexual relationship with Meyer that began when he was 14 years old.
An investigation revealed that the alleged relationship was the subject of two prior Youth Divison investigations that transpired in 2010 and 2012. Allegations also arose in 2010 at Two Rivers and 2012 at a different school. During the first investigation, students reported seeing Meyer and Z.J. holding hands in an alley near the school — and seeing Z.J. kissing the teacher on the cheek twice, according to the news outlet.
During the same investigation, staff members allegedly indicated there were “intimate encounters” between Meyer and the student. Despite this, police closed their investigations, and the two internal investigations were deemed “unfounded.”
Meyer reportedly told police that she had a sexual relationship with Z.J. in 2013 and 2015, starting weeks after his 18th birthday. However, Z.J. told police last year that their relationship began in 2007, when he was 12 years old, after his mother asked Meyer to drive him to school and they connected over books and essays. Z.J. said their sexual relationship began two years later, according to the news outlet.
Z.J. allegedly recounted Meyer sexually abusing him in her van and home. Meyer’s husband reportedly caught the boy in the home on two occasions. Marijuana and alcohol were allegedly used during the illicit encounters.
The relationship ended in 2014, but Z.J. and Meyer reconciled in 2018. The pair split a year later.
According to WJLA, Z.J. had texted Meyer insinuating he was going to report her to the police. In turn, Meyer and her lawyer showed police texts in which Z.J. allegedly threatened to find her and called her a “filthy woman.” Meyer also claimed Z.J. sent text messages demanding sex.
Shaker Heights City School District officials said Meyer is a library media specialist at Onaway Elementary in Ohio. Officials said none of the allegations transpired when Meyer worked at the elementary school, according to WOIO.
Meyer was charged with felony child sex abuse. She is currently on paid administrative leave.
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