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Married Oklahoma teacher who had sex with three teenage students charged for rape and sexual battery

Janet Kay Barnes was a former teacher at Pocola High School, located in a rural area near the Arkansas border. Each alleged victim was a student at the school and the three of them were between 16 and 19 years of age

A former Oklahoma school teacher has been charged with multiple rape and sexual battery charges after it was revealed that she allegedly had sex with three different teenage students. Janet Kay Barnes was a former teacher at Pocola High School, located in a rural area near the Arkansas border.

An investigation into the 44-year-old's behavior began in late 2016 when police received a tip alleging that she had engaged in inappropriate conduct with multiple students, People confirmed. During the investigation it was found that Barnes was suspended from her teaching duties, the district superintendent later revealed.

According to a grand jury indictment that was first obtained by WTKR, Barnes allegedly had sex with two minors in separate incidents between January 2014 and November 2016. She is currently facing charges of second-degree rape for each of these encounters.

The same indictment also revealed that Barnes, who was married, committed sexual battery against a third student, who was an adult, in a separate incident. According to the laws in Oklahoma, teachers are not permitted to have sexual contact with their students, even if the student is over the age of consent.

Reports further revealed that each alleged victim was a student at the school where Barnes taught and all three students were between the ages of 16 and 19. Meanwhile, the married woman no longer teaches in the state of Oklahoma, since her contract was not renewed as the investigation was ongoing, and she no longer holds a valid teaching certificate.

According to online court records, a grand jury convened in Leflore County on Friday, May 17, where the jury indicted Barnes on the charges and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She is currently being held on $250,000 bond.

Reports further suggested that Barnes had not entered a plea, and court documents do not reflect an attorney authorized to speak on her behalf. She is currently facing up to 15 years in prison on each count of second-degree rape, and the sexual battery charge carries a penalty of no more than 10 years in prison.

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