Kentucky teacher arrested under new anti-grooming law

Sadie M. Flores, a 25-year-old teacher at Graves County Middle School in Mayfield, Kentucky, has been arrested following allegations of an improper relationship with a minor student. The arrest marks a significant application of Kentucky’s House Bill 4, a new anti-grooming law that took effect on July 15.

According to the Graves County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation was initiated after allegations were reported to the school district. Law enforcement detectives conducted an investigation involving interviews and the seizure of electronic records. Flores was arrested Friday afternoon and transported to a detention center.

Under the new legislation, grooming a minor by a person in a position of authority or special trust is classified as a Class D felony. This definition includes efforts to develop an intimate or secretive relationship with a minor up to age 18. Graves County Schools Superintendent Matt Madding stated that district officials immediately notified law enforcement upon learning of the allegations and emphasized that student safety is the district's priority.