Amber Swain, a 35-year-old teacher from Newport, Washington, has been charged with first- and second-degree incest following an investigation into her alleged sexual relationships with two teenage boys she adopted. According to the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office, Swain was arrested on Tuesday and subsequently placed on administrative leave by the Newport School District, where she worked as a teacher and director at Pend Oreille River School.
The investigation began on May 18, when the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families reported possible sexual abuse involving two male teens, aged 17 and 18 at the time the alleged abuse started. Both teens were interviewed by investigators, as well as Swain. One of the boys claimed that he and Swain had sexual relations multiple times, including shortly before his interview with authorities.
Detectives found probable cause to arrest Swain after reviewing text messages exchanged between her and one of the boys. Initially, Swain denied having sexual relations with the teen but later acknowledged a relationship with one of the boys after he turned 18. Another teen reported that he had touched Swain multiple times while they were in bed, but she halted any further actions.
Prosecutors have requested that Swain be prohibited from contacting the teens, as she allegedly reached out to one of them from jail. Bail has been set at $50,000 due to public safety concerns, although Swain's public defender argued for her release, citing her lack of a prior criminal history.
