An Illinois high school athletic trainer has been arrested after authorities say she was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Christina G. Payton, 27, of Creston, turned herself in to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, Aug. 5, nearly two months after authorities first received a report about the alleged relationship.
According to the sheriff’s office, the initial report was made to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office on June 10 and involved an athletic trainer employed at Indian Creek High School.
Investigators later determined that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office had jurisdiction over the case, and a criminal investigation was launched.
Payton eventually turned herself in and was arrested on multiple charges.
Authorities said she faces four felony counts of official misconduct, four felony counts of distribution of harmful material to a minor and four misdemeanor counts of distribution of harmful material to a minor.
Police have not publicly released additional details about the alleged relationship or the specific material involved.
Payton was released under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail in the state and changed the process used to determine whether defendants remain in custody while awaiting trial.
She is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 27 at 9 a.m.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the charges remain allegations.
“All charges are merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” authorities said in a statement.
Payton and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.
