Who is Abby Dibbs? Wisconsin teacher, 35, had sex with student, 17, who is 'in love' with her
PORTAGE, WISCONSIN: Authorities have filed a criminal complaint against a former English teacher with the Portage High School at Wisconsin, charging her with two counts of sexual assault of a student by school staff. Abby Dibbs, 35, is reportedly facing up to 12 years in prison after admitting to having a sexual relationship with a 17-year old student she previously taught at the Wisconsin high school, according to documents filed in Columbia County Circuit Court. The student was apparently in love with Dibbs and was ousted by another student who reported on the assaults.
Dibbs was charged with sexual assault after admitting to having sex with the 17-year-old on two different occasions at her home on May 21 and May 22. According to the criminal complaint, the 17-year-old (whose identity had been withheld to protect his privacy) confirmed to detectives his relationship with the teacher and stated that he was 'in love' with Dibbs and was upset with the person who 'snitched' on their involvement.
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Who is Abby Dibbs?
Dibbs of Cross Plains is a former English teacher at the Portage High School. Records with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction show Dibbs with a lifetime teaching license under the name Abby Riese. According to a local report, she was first licensed as a substitute teacher in 2010. The records show that the ex-teacher's license is currently under investigation. She faces tentative charges of sexual assault of a child by a school staff person. She made her initial appearance in court Friday, May 29, afternoon after her arrest on May 28.
Dibbs appeared for a court hearing from the Columbia County Jail. The judge's bail conditions for Dibbs reportedly included prohibiting her from contact with a 17-year old boy, no unsupervised contact with other children other than her own child, and a prohibition against being at Portage High School. After the hearing, $3,500 bail was posted and Dibbs was released from jail. If she is convicted, Dibbs can face up to 12 years in prison and $20,000 for both charges.
Relationship with a 17-year-old student
Portage PD Sgt Max Jenatscheck revealed that Dibbs had said she and the student had spoken about how they felt about each other and how there were lines that they could not cross. "Dibbs admitted that this past weekend, she and VICTIM1 had discussed how they felt about each other and how there were lines that they could not cross. Dibbs admitted that these lines were then crossed," Jenatscheck said in the complaint. Dibbs reportedly admitted that she and the student had sex multiple times during May 21 and May 22.
As per the court documents, the teenager's mother said she was glad the other student reported the inappropriate relationship, doing the right thing. Police Sgt Dan Garrigan reportedly said that Dibbs and the teenager initially engaged in an appropriate teacher-student relationship. "But I think it appears as if this relationship maybe changed its course maybe earlier this spring," Garrigan stated.
The Portage Community School District released a statement saying that Dibbs is no longer employed by the district. The statement also made it clear that she would not be returning to Portage High School but didn't specify how she separated from her teaching job.
As per local reports, district administrator Joshua Sween said that his administration contacted law enforcement immediately upon learning about the relationship. "We feel confident that the high school and all district buildings are safe and secure for all students and staff. We appreciate the efforts of our law enforcement in addressing this matter."
Garrigan said that now an investigation is going on to try to ensure there were no victims other than the seventeen-year-old boy. "At this point, we're aware of the one incident, the one victim," Garrigan said.