High school cheerleading coach charged after allegedly having relationship with student

A teacher at a high school in North Carolina has been charged after allegations she engaged in a relationship with a male teenage student. 23-year-old Katherine Ross Ridenhour was charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a student, Concord Police Department said in a statement.

Police said they had been notified of a "potential inappropriate consensual relationship" between a teacher and student at Cox Mill High School on 13 November. Authorities said further investigation corroborated accusations that the female teacher was in a relationship with a 17-year-old male student.

Ridenhour received a written promise to appear in court, police said. Other reports said that the school's website identified Ridenhour as Junior Varisty cheerleading coach but attempts to research Ridenhour on the site suggested pages had been taken down.

The Charlotte Observer reported that Ridenhour had resigned from her position at the school and was no longer listed as a staff member. WBTV reported police confirming that one incident Ridenhour faces a charge for what occurred on school property.

Concerned parents told the news channel that they "can't even wrap my head around how disturbing it is" and questioning the school ability to check a teacher's background. A student added to the channel that they felt bad for the educator: "we had a lot of things in common because she's like five years older than us... she messed up."