Omaha teacher caught in the act with student, deputies say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – An Omaha teacher was arrested early Saturday morning after reportedly being caught undressed with a teenager.

Erin Ward, 45, was booked on suspicion of one count of felony sexual abuse by a school employee.

Douglas County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle that was parked at the dead end of a road near North 189th Street.

When they arrived, deputies saw two people in the back seat of an SUV.

A 17-year-old boy jumped into the driver’s seat and drove away from deputies, later crashing into a yard two blocks away.

He ran away, wearing no clothes, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities found him about an hour later wearing a T-shirt, boxers and socks.

Deputies found Ward putting her clothes on in the back seat, the sheriff’s office said.

While searching the car, deputies found an Omaha Public Schools employee ID. Ward confirmed she was a substitute teacher at Omaha Burke High School and other metro-area schools.

Deputies said Ward was having sexual intercourse with the 17-year-old, a student at Burke.

Ward and the victim were both treated for minor injuries due to the crash.

The investigation is currently ongoing, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said it is working closely with OPS.