Oklahoma teacher admits to having sex with student, prompting lawsuit from teen's father

A former Oklahoma middle school teacher pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old student on 1 June.

According to The Associated Press, Jennifer Caswell pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree rape, two counts of enticing a child and one count of forcible sodomy in Harmon County District Court.

The student's father filed a lawsuit on 1 April claiming the school district attempted to cover up Caswell's actions after at least two people witness her engage in sexual acts with the student in her classroom, the Oklahoman reported.

The lawsuit states the incident was reported to an administrator but was not reported to the victim's father, law enforcement or the Department of Human Services.

The boy's father, who remains unnamed to protect the identity of the teen, is seeking $1m (£650,000) for pain, suffering and his child's mental and emotional anguish, according to the AP. The father claims his son's grades have suffered and he has become withdrawn and uninterested in extracurricular activities.

Lawyer Andy Fugitt told the Oklahoman that the school district denies any wrongdoing. "The district's overall position is that they acted appropriately once they were aware of an issues," Fugitt said.

Caswell was allegedly allowed to resign on 7 April 2014. However, she continued to engage in sexual acts with the boy in her vehicle, her home and the boy's father's home. Once the teen's father found out about the 29-year-old's visits to the house, he had his son visit his mother in Mississippi for the summer, according to the Oklahoman.

The Oklahoman reported that Caswell then drove 650 miles to Mississippi to have sex with the boy. She was arrested by police at a Mississippi motel. The boy then began co-operating with police after her arrest.

Caswell defended herself during an appearance on a 19 May episode of the Dr Phil show, where she admitted to having sex with the student. "I'm not a rapist," she said. "I didn't force anything. I didn't manipulate. I didn't take advantage."

According to the Oklahoman, prosecutors did not agree to any set punishment, instead leaving it for the judge. Sentencing is scheduled for 31 August.