logo
Teacher at Private Christian School in Indianapolis Charged with Child Seduction After Engaging in Sexual Acts with Teen Student at Church

Teacher at Private Christian School in Indianapolis Charged with Child Seduction After Engaging in Sexual Acts with Teen Student at Church

An arrest warrant has been issued for a former kindergarten teacher at a private Christian school in northern Indianapolis, after she was charged with child seduction of a teenage student.
Torrie Lemon, 23, was charged by the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office on June 30 with two felony counts of child seduction as a care worker. On July 1, the Hamilton County judge issued a warrant for her arrest and set her bond at $15,000, according to court records.
Victim's Friend Found a Video of Lemon and the Student Kissing During a School Trip and Reported it to Another Teacher
The alleged abuse took place over several months in early 2025; however, authorities at Colonial Christian School were not aware about the misconduct until April 10, while the two were on a school trip in South Carolina, according to court documents obtained by IndyStar.
Lemon was present during the trip, acting as one of the school's chaperones, according to court documents. A friend of the female student was going through the student's phone when they found a video of Lemon and the student kissing in a hidden folder on the device. When the friend saw the video, they immediately informed a male teacher of the video.
Upon learning of this information, the male teacher confiscated the student's phone, informed the student's parents of the situation, dismissed Lemon from the school trip, and filed a report with the Indiana Department of Child Services and a South Carolina police department, according to court records.
Lemon, Victim Spent the Night Together in Teacher's Room During the School Trip
An officer with the Greenville Police Department had spoken with the student and Lemon about the video, and the two told the officer that they were "in a relationship," according to court records.
The student told the Greenville officer that she had "sexual" inappropriate messages with Lemon on her phone and that she had stayed in Lemon's room during the school trip. However, the student noted that "nothing sexual" had happened between the two.
The Greenville officer interviewed Lemon, where she explained that she "was having an inappropriate relationship with a student from her school" for a few months, according to court records.
Victim Said Sexual Encounters with Lemon Took Place at the Teacher's Apartment, in a Church and at the Student's House
On April 14, a detective with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department interviewed the student in hopes of learning how the alleged sexual misconduct started.
The student explained that she and Lemon started exchanging messages in January 2025 as friends but the messages then turned sexual, with the two eventually having sex in March 2025, according to court documents.
Upon further questioning, the detective learned that the two had sex at Lemon's on-campus apartment, in a church and at the student's house.
Victim's Mother Said She Considered Lemon as a 'Family Friend'
The detective then interviewed the student's mother, who explained that she had seen Lemon as a "family friend" and was "upset" after learning about the alleged sexual misconduct. The family had allowed Lemon to stay at their house on several occasions after she had moved to Indiana from New Hampshire, according to court documents.
She didn't believe Lemon had many friends in the state and invited her to hang out with her daughter at the family's Super Bowl party. Although she had noticed that the two's friendship had developed "quickly" over the next few months, she did not believe they had developed an intimate relationship.
However, in March, she had seen some text messages between the two that concerned her. The messages were things like, "I can't wait to see you," and "I saw you across the room and wanted to give you a hug," according to court documents. The mother said she confronted the two over the messages but was told that there was nothing inappropriate happening between the two.
The detective then asked the mother if they could take her daughter's phone for evidence; however, upon further investigation, police learned that most of the text between the student and Lemon had been permanently deleted.
Lemon Fired from the School in the Wake of the Allegations
On April 16, IMPD detectives attempted to get in contact with Lemon, but learned that she had moved back to New Hampshire.
On April 23, the case was transferred to the Fisher Police Department since the initial crime report had been filed in Hamilton County. Police also learned that Lemon had been dismissed from the school after academic officials learned of the allegations, according to court documents.
In her exit interview with the school's principal, she admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a student and said that "it started with hugs, then longer hugs, then kissing, and then sexual acts."
On May 2, police were informed that the IMPD digital forensics unit could not recover most of the deleted data from the phone, but it was able to recover a few text messages between the two. Some of the messages read as "thank you for an amazing night and morning," and "I love you more than I can describe."
As of July 1, the Hamilton County prosecutor filed a warrant for her arrest and set her bond at $15,000.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bali trial opens for American man accused of drug distribution
Bali trial opens for American man accused of drug distribution

Straits Times

time05-08-2025

  • Straits Times

Bali trial opens for American man accused of drug distribution

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox William Wallace Molyneaux, 27, was arrested in May, and accused of carrying seven packages containing 99 pills of amphetamine. DENPASAR - An American man accused of drug distribution on Indonesia's popular island of Bali appeared in court on Aug 5 on the opening day of his trial, facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted under the country's tough narcotics laws. William Wallace Molyneaux, 27, was arrested in May, accused of carrying seven packages containing 99 pills of amphetamine, Bali's narcotics agency said. He had multiple charges levelled against him including distributing drugs, which carries the maximum penalty of death by execution. But prosecutors said on Aug 5 they sought a charge of drug distribution of an amount under 5g, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. They also sought a lesser, separate charge of possession of under 5g of the drug, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. The American national appeared in a suit at a court in Bali's provincial capital Denpasar, speaking to confirm his identity, and that he is a Christian from Florida. A verdict was not expected until a later hearing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore 60 lactation pods to be set up in public spaces by Q1 2026 for breastfeeding mothers Singapore Beauty industry consumers hit by 464% rise in prepayment losses in first half of 2025 Singapore 13 taken to hospital after accident involving SBS buses, car in Tampines Singapore New cargo handling centre at Changi Airport reduces processing time; test bed for future T5 ops Life Urinary issues: Enlarged prostate affects half of men in their 50s and up Singapore Elderly man charged after he allegedly molested, performed sex act on 'vulnerable' man The US embassy in Jakarta declined to comment. Indonesia hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling and has previously executed foreigners, but has upheld a moratorium on the death sentence since 2017. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's administration has moved in recent months to repatriate several high-profile inmates, all sentenced for drug offences, back to their home countries. Frenchman Serge Atlaoui returned to France in February after Jakarta and Paris agreed a deal to repatriate him on 'humanitarian grounds' because he was ill. In December, Indonesia took Mary Jane Veloso off death row and returned her to the Philippines . It also sent the five remaining members of the 'Bali Nine' drug ring, who were serving heavy prison sentences, back to Australia. AFP

Act more, regret less: The Jakarta Post
Act more, regret less: The Jakarta Post

Asia News Network

time04-08-2025

  • Asia News Network

Act more, regret less: The Jakarta Post

August 4, 2025 JAKARTA – After months of troubling silence in the face of rising violence against religious minorities, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has finally spoken out–expressing regret over the recent attack on a Christian prayer house in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra. The incident, which occurred on the afternoon of July 27, saw a mob vandalize a facility being used for religious education, and the damage extended far beyond the building. Children attending a class at the time were left with not only physical injuries but also deep psychological trauma. The images and testimonies from the scene speak volumes of the fear and insecurity now haunting religious minority communities in a province often cited as one of the least tolerant regions in this predominantly Muslim but diverse country. In response to the attack, Nasaruddin has pledged to send a team to the city to investigate what he describes as a possible 'misunderstanding', emphasizing that the incident has 'tarnished the country's image' as a peaceful, tolerant nation. Nasarudin, also the founder of an interfaith organization, Masyarakat Dialog antar Umat Beragama (Interfaith Dialogue Society), hopes that the attack will be the last of its kind. But hope and regret are no longer sufficient. The Padang incident occurred barely a month after a similar attack in Sukabumi, West Java—another region frequently flagged by human rights groups as hostile to minority religious practices. In that case, a Christian youth retreat held in a private residence was violently disrupted by a local mob, resulting in similar destruction and intimidation. Perpetrators of such acts often justify their behavior by claiming they are enforcing 'public order' regarding unauthorized religious gatherings. But such claims reflect a much deeper structural problem: in many parts of Indonesia, it is nearly impossible for religious minorities to legally establish formal houses of worship. They are left with little choice but to gather in private homes or makeshift venues—settings that are then targeted under the pretext of legal or procedural violations. This problem is rooted in the notorious 2006 Joint Ministerial Decree issued by the Religious Affairs Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry, which sets out onerous requirements for building a house of worship. Religious groups must collect signatures from at least 60 people of different faiths and gain formal permission from both local authorities and religious affairs offices. In areas where religious intolerance is entrenched, this process is not just difficult; it is practically impossible. The regulation has long been criticized as discriminatory and out of step with Indonesia's constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. Instead of facilitating coexistence, it empowers the majority to veto the rights of the minority. It fosters resentment, fuels social division and, as these recent incidents show, creates the conditions for violence. These attacks are not the result of simple 'misunderstandings.' They are manifestations of a broken, biased system that fails to protect the rights of all citizens equally. If the government is serious about preventing further attacks, it must move beyond statements of regret. It must act with urgency to dismantle discriminatory regulations, prosecute those who incite or commit violence and ensure that every citizen—regardless of religion—can worship safely and freely. Nasaruddin's predecessor, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, once promised to revise or revoke the 2006 decree, but his pledge went unfulfilled. Nasaruddin now has a critical opportunity to replace the policy with one that affirms, rather than restricts, religious freedom. Law enforcement, too, must do its part. Those responsible for the violence in Padang, Sukabumi and elsewhere must face justice for breaching a basic human right. As national leader, President Prabowo Subianto must also make his position clear. The right to freedom of religion and belief is protected by the Constitution. Defending that right should not be negotiable. Silence or ambiguity from the highest office only reinforces the perception—among both victims and perpetrators—that the state is absent, indifferent or even complicit. Words alone will not prevent the next attack. Only decisive, meaningful action will.

Cherry Vann becomes first woman and LGBTQ+ bishop named as archbishop of Wales
Cherry Vann becomes first woman and LGBTQ+ bishop named as archbishop of Wales

Straits Times

time31-07-2025

  • Straits Times

Cherry Vann becomes first woman and LGBTQ+ bishop named as archbishop of Wales

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LONDON - Bishop Cherry Vann has been elected as archbishop of the Church in Wales, becoming the first woman and LGBTQ+ cleric appointed to lead any of Britain's Anglican churches. While the broader, international Anglican Communion has had openly gay bishops before, most notably Gene Robinson in the United States, Vann will be the first lesbian to serve as archbishop globally. The Church in Wales, which broke away from the Church of England in 1920, elected Vann to the post on Wednesday. Vann was among the first women ordained as priests in the Church of England in 1994 and later served as Archdeacon of Rochdale, in northern England, before moving to Wales. She is affiliated with the Open Table Network, a Christian initiative that offers worship and support for LGBTQ+ people. According to her official biography, Vann lives with her civil partner, Wendy, and the couple's two dogs. While the Church in Wales does not conduct same-sex marriages, it permits clergy to enter into civil partnerships. Vann will replace Andrew John, who resigned in June following the publication of two internal church reports in May which raised concerns about governance and safeguarding. There was no suggestion of any wrongdoing by John. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No entry: ICA to bar high-risk, undesirable travellers from boarding S'pore-bound ships, flights Singapore 5 foreign women suspected of trafficking 27kg of cocaine nabbed in Changi Airport Singapore Over half of job applications by retrenched Jetstar Asia staff led to offers or interviews: CEO Singapore 17-member committee to drive roll-out of autonomous vehicles in Singapore Business Singapore gold investment soars 37% to 2.2 tonnes in Q2 while jewellery demand wanes Singapore Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family' "The first thing I shall need to do is to ensure that the issues which have been raised in the last six months are properly addressed," Vann, 66, said in her first statement after her appointment. REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store