Pulaski County Substitute Teacher Sentenced to 10 Years in Child Sexual Abuse Case
Child Sexual Abuse
Overview
Carissa Smith, a former long-term substitute teacher in Pulaski County, Missouri, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following a plea deal reached with prosecutors on September 17. The agreement reduced her 19 original felony charges to one count of endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of sexual contact with a student. Smith will serve six years for endangerment and two years each for the sexual contact charges, consecutively.
Background
Smith worked as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher for the Dixon R-1 School District from August 2022 until her arrest and resignation in August 2024.
Superintendent Travis Bohrer described the allegations as “very disturbing and distressing” and confirmed the district’s full cooperation with law enforcement.
Allegations
Investigators and student interviews indicate a disturbing pattern of exploitation, including:
- Offering children money, marijuana, and alcohol in exchange for sexual acts, including intercourse and oral sex.
- Meeting affected children in isolated locations, such as gravel roads, or at her home when her husband was away.
- Digital grooming via Snapchat, where she allegedly sent explicit photos, including nude images.
- Coercion and threats to maintain secrecy, including instructing affected children not to tell anyone or face consequences.
- Evidence tampering, such as allegedly smashing a student’s phone containing sexual recordings.
Timeline of Abuse
According to affidavits and media reports, the alleged abuses occurred between August 2023 and September 2024.
Some affected children reported repeated sexual encounters, sometimes six or seven times, with payments delivered via cash or Cash App. In one case, Smith forced a student to ejaculate during sexual contact and offered more money after the child expressed distress.
One student who attempted to approach Smith to offer sex for money was reportedly rejected because they were “too young,” highlighting her awareness of age boundaries.
Community and School Impact
The case has deeply affected the Dixon R-I school community, prompting discussions on:
- Supervision of substitute and paraprofessional staff
- Digital safety and online communication policies
- Reporting mechanisms for students who experience or witness abuse
Parents and educators have stressed the need for stronger preventive measures and staff accountability to protect children in school environments.
Call to Action
The case highlights the urgent need for comprehensive child protection strategies in schools:
- Strengthen background checks and ongoing staff monitoring.
- Mandate training for staff on grooming behaviors, boundaries, and mandatory reporting.
- Provide confidential reporting systems for students.
- Increase student education on recognizing and reporting sexual exploitation.
- Offer trauma-informed support for affected students.
- Regularly review policies to prevent digital and in-person exploitation.
Preventing child abuse in schools requires proactive safeguards and constant vigilance.
Conclusion
The Carissa Smith case represents a serious violation of children’s rights and underscores the responsibility of schools and communities to protect children. Children have the right to learn and grow in safe environments. Schools, families, and law enforcement must collaborate to uphold these rights, ensuring that no child is left vulnerable to exploitation or harm.
