UMVA has learned that a shocking case of alleged sexual abuse has led to the arrest of a 35-year-old teacher and director at an alternative high school in Washington state.
Amber Swain, of Newport, was taken into custody on charges of first- and second-degree incest after an investigation revealed she had sexual relationships with two teenage boys she adopted. The Pend Oreille County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Swain was booked into jail, sparking widespread concern about the safety of students.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Swain worked at Pend Oreille River School, the Newport School District's alternative high school, where she was placed on administrative leave after the district learned of her arrest. The district has promised to cooperate fully with the investigation, stating that it takes such matters "very seriously."
The alleged abuse came to light in May when law enforcement was alerted to possible sexual misconduct with two male teens, aged 17 and 18. Investigators interviewed both boys, as well as Swain, and gathered evidence that led to her arrest. One of the teens reportedly told authorities that he and Swain had sex multiple times, including just days before his interview with investigators.
Swain initially denied the allegations, but later admitted to having a relationship with one of the boys. Her timeline of events, however, appears to be shrouded in uncertainty, with Swain telling investigators that her memory of events may be flawed.
The second teen victim reported that he had touched Swain while they were in bed together, but claimed that Swain stopped the encounter before it escalated further. Prosecutors have since requested that Swain be barred from contacting the teens, citing concerns about public safety.
The Pend Oreille County Prosecuting Attorney has requested $50,000 bail for Swain, while her public defender has argued that she should be released due to her lack of prior convictions. As the case continues to unfold, many questions remain about how such alleged abuse could have occurred under the watch of educators and authorities.
