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Milwaukee woman accused of posing as substitute teacher, making inappropriate comments
According to prosecutors, Amy Jones entered Rufus King International High School on Sept. 24 and told staff members she was a substitute teacher. She was allowed into a classroom and remained with students for several class periods before school officials realized she was not employed by the district or the substitute-teaching agency.
Students Reported Disturbing Behavior
Students told police that Jones began acting inappropriately after the actual teacher left the classroom.
According to the criminal complaint, students said she used profanity and racial slurs, made sexually inappropriate remarks and made comments about students based on their race, appearance, weight and gender. Some students also said she asked whether they were gay or virgins.
One student told investigators that Jones called a student “fat boy” and asked another student whether she wanted to be a stripper or a hooker. Students also reported that she made alarming comments toward two white male students, according to police.
Several students recorded portions of the incident on their phones, and at least some of that footage was later provided to investigators.
How She Allegedly Got Inside
Investigators say Jones was a former Rufus King student and had visited the school about a week before the incident.
According to court documents, she allegedly blended in with students, made her way through security and later overheard staff discussing the company used to provide substitute teachers. She then reportedly told a secretary that she was a substitute and signed herself into the building.
The school was dealing with an unusually high number of staff absences that day. Eight teachers were reportedly absent, while only seven substitute positions had been filled. The principal told investigators she believed Jones “got lucky” because an opening remained.
Jones Allegedly Admitted She Wasn't a Teacher
When detectives interviewed Jones on Sept. 30, she reportedly acknowledged that she had impersonated a teacher.
According to investigators, she said she went to the school because she was bored and wanted to “mess around.” She also acknowledged having what she described as a “birds and the bees talk” with students and admitted that the discussion was inappropriate.
Authorities say Jones had no teaching training or experience and was not employed by Milwaukee Public Schools or its substitute staffing provider.
School District Launches Its Own Investigation
School officials eventually removed Jones from the building and involved police.
Milwaukee Public Schools confirmed that Jones was a former student and said she was not an authorized substitute teacher. The district also notified its Title IX coordinator and said it was conducting its own investigation in addition to the criminal case.
The district told families that it was taking appropriate steps to ensure Rufus King remained a safe environment for students and staff.
Six Felony Charges
Jones faces a felony charge of impersonating a public employee along with additional felony counts related to exposing children to harmful descriptions. WISN reports that the charges could carry a maximum combined sentence of up to 21 years in prison if she were convicted on all counts.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and Jones is presumed innocent unless convicted.
For parents and students at Rufus King, the incident has raised difficult questions about how an unauthorized person was able to enter the school, identify an unfilled classroom position and remain in front of students before being discovered.
Source: WISN 12
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