A Georgia biology teacher has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student in a classroom closet. Maris Nichols, 25, who taught at Alexander High School in Douglasville, was taken into custody on Friday following an investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Details of the Alleged Assaults
According to arrest warrants obtained by 11Alive, Nichols allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the same student on at least two separate occasions within a two-week period. The first incident reportedly occurred on April 22 inside a closet located between two classrooms. The second encounter took place in a Hummer parked in a residential driveway. Authorities have not released the student's age or gender.
Background of the Accused
Nichols graduated from Liberty University, a well-known evangelical Christian institution that expects students to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage. She also served as the operations manager for the high school football team. The Douglas County School System issued a statement to parents, emphasizing that student safety is the district's highest priority and that the alleged behavior violates professional standards.
Legal Charges and Bond
Nichols has been charged with two counts of sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority. She is currently being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Other Cases in North Carolina and Pennsylvania
In a separate incident, Amber Elizabeth Walker, 39, a high school guidance counselor and girls basketball coach in Asheboro, North Carolina, was arrested for allegedly having sex with a student on school property. Walker faces two felony counts of sex act with a student. She was fired from her position following the arrest.
In Pennsylvania, former teacher Michelle Mercogliano, 36, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for sexually abusing a 16-year-old student. She pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual intercourse with a student, as well as charges of corruption of a minor and unlawful contact with a minor. Mercogliano admitted to providing marijuana to the victim and engaging in a sexual relationship that began in February 2025. She was initially charged with 40 counts of institutional sexual assault, but 59 counts were dropped as part of a plea deal.
