DORCHESTER COUNTY, SC (WCSC) -
A Lowcountry middle school teacher accused of soliciting a minor and criminal sexual conduct has surrendered her educator certificate, according to South Carolina Board of Education paperwork filed in August.
Alison Chilton, 27, had already resigned from her teaching position in Dorchester District 2, the school district confirmed back in January
Chilton is charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, according to Attorney General's Office spokesman Robert Kittle.
Chilton was free on a $30,000 bond set by a judge
Investigators say the 12-year-old victim's father told authorities he suspected there was a relationship between the two. Dorchester County deputies say the father told them he believed the relationship started when his daughter was in the seventh grade and was being taught by Chilton.
Court documents state Chilton intended to persuade and entice the victim into sexual activity between Aug.1, 2017, and Dec. 29, 2017. The victim stated she exchanged text messages with Chilton in reference to having a sexual relationship, the affidavit stated.
Chilton stated she kissed the victim and fondled the victim as well according to the affidavit. The relationship came to light when the victim's father requested a report be done at the sheriff's office after he found proof of the alleged relationship according to the incident report.
The student’s father showed investigators text messages apparently sent by Chilton to the girl. Investigators said one read, “I want to be your wife,” and the other read, “I want to hold you.”
According to Oakbrook Middle School's website, Chilton was a language arts and math teacher at the school.
The state attorney general’s office is prosecuting the case against Chilton.
Chilton had been with the school district since 2013.
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