Smyrna School District employee accused of having sex with student

A Smyrna School District employee is charged with having sex with an underage student, according to police. 

Karen Brooks, 38, of Dover – an employee of Smyrna Middle School – was taken into custody without incident Thursday and formally charged with rape in the fourth degree and sexual intercourse with a victim under 18, said Cpl. Brian M Donner, a public information officer with the Smyrna Police Department. 

In May, police were notified of a potentially inappropriate relationship involving a school district employee and a 17-year-old male student. An investigation by police revealed Brooks had sex with the 17-year-old on multiple occasions, Donner said. 

Police believe, however, that the unlawful acts did not occur on school district property.

Brooks was processed and arraigned on these charges via video in Justice of the Peace Court 2. 

Brooks remains in custody after failing to pay a $40,000 secured bond. 

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

STORY:Woman killed at Dover motel; suspect in custody

Contact Alonzo Small at (302) 324-2856 or asmall@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @P_AlonzoSmall.