The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

November 2, 2009

Teacher enters not guilty plea in sexual abuse case


A former Berkeley County teacher has pleaded not guilty to charges she kissed a 14-year-old male student during a lunch break at Musselman Middle School.

A lawyer for Stephanie Jo Walters entered not guilty pleas on her behalf on Thursday.

Walters is charged with sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust, third-degree sexual abuse and solicitation of a minor through use of a computer. A trial date has been set for Feb. 9. The 28-year-old Hedgesville resident had worked at the Inwood school for five years before the county school board fired her in May after her arrest.