Omaha substitute teacher accused of sexually abusing student pleads not guilty

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — An Omaha substitute teacher pleaded not guilty Tuesday to sexually abusing a student.

Erin Ward, 45, waived her right to a preliminary hearing, and her case was sent to Douglas County District Court.

She is charged with first-degree sexual abuse by a school employee.

SEE ALSO: Omaha teacher caught in the act with student, deputies say

Early in the morning of April 13, Ward was caught with a 17-year-old boy in the back seat of SUV, authorities said.

The teen got in the driver’s seat and drove off, crashing two blocks away, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

He ran off naked, deputies said. Ward stayed in the vehicle, putting her clothes back on, the sheriff’s office said.

SEE ALSO: Omaha teacher accused of sexually abusing student held on $25,000 bond

Ward was a substitute teacher at Omaha Burke High School, where the boy is a student.

Last month, she paid $2,500 in bail to be released from jail.

Her first appearance in district court has not yet been scheduled.