On Feb. 12 Darcy Smith, the 41-year-old award winning teacher from McMicken Heights Elementary, entered a plea of Not Guilty to charges of three counts of Rape of a Child in the third degree. Smith is accused of having a sexual affair with a former student while he lived in her home for 4 years.
As reported by numerous outlets the courtroom at the Kent Regional Justice Center was packed to capacity with students and parents from the Highline district rallying with support for Smith. Students carried handmade signs with slogans such as “#SaveMrsSmith”, “We Stand by You” and “You Changed Lives Mrs. Smith”.
A plea of Not Guilty was entered by Smith and her lawyer with the next court date set for March 12.
Smith, a recipient of the Regional Teacher of the Year Award in 2012, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a former student that she took her into her own home when he was 12-years-old. According to the victim, who is 19 now, the two began having sex when he was 14 and the relationship ended when he moved out at 18.
Little is yet known about the victim at this time who is referred to only as “B.S.” in charging documents and is given a birth date of Sept. 20, 1994.