Norris says it heard rumors of teacher-student relationship six weeks before arrest

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Norris Public Schools first heard talk of a relationship between a teacher and a student in early April.

Lillie Bowman was arrested last Friday, six weeks after the fact, on suspicion of sexual abuse by a school employee.

Superintendent Brian Maschmann said Wednesday that the district learned “that rumors were circulating” on April 6.

He said an administrator at Norris High School interviewed the teacher and student, who both said the rumor was not true.

SEE ALSO: Authorities detail investigation of Norris teacher accused of sexual abuse

“The administrator also interviewed the student who allegedly heard the rumor and another student that was reported to be spreading the rumor,” Maschmann said in a statement. “One of those students admitted to hearing the rumor off campus and spreading the message to other students.”

The district said the accusation “appeared unfounded” but was reported to the school resource officer the same day.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office says Bowman, 23, began a relationship with the student in March.

In an affidavit, authorities allege that she sexually abused the student about 10 times.