Illinois Teacher Faces Jail Time For Allegedly Sleeping With Underage Student She Spoiled With Gifts

A high school teacher in Illinois is facing time behind bars for allegedly sleeping with a 14-year-old student as many as 20 times last year.

Dayna Chidester, 51, who was taken into federal custody on Wednesday, is accused of having sex with the minor student at the school where she taught, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Oxygen.com. 

Chidester, a former science teacher at Reed-Custer High School, was originally charged in January by county prosecutors with six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse after investigators came across a trove of texts the educator had exchanged with the youth, as well as other students at the school. 

“There was a lot of kissing,” Chidester wrote in one of those texts to another student about the alleged relationship with the 14-year-old. 

It "was mutual, we hugged so tight it hurt,” she added.” “Not a lot of talking, only about seeing each other next week and loving each other.” 

The 14-year-old victim later told investigators that he and Chidester had sex between 15 and 20 times, according to the complaint. Detectives learned that the alleged sexual encounters took place in Chidester’s home, his vehicle and hotels in Oakbrook, Illinois. 

Between late October and December, prosecutors said, the teacher supposedly “had sexual intercourse with [the victim] approximately twice per week, and that the two engaged in other sexually explicit conduct, as well."

Authorities also discovered nearly 10,000 text messages exchanged between the student and teacher. Some of their correspondence included nude photos, they said. 

One image on Chidester’s phone depicted the teenager naked “sitting on the floor, with his legs extended in a spread-eagle style, exposing his genitals,” the criminal complaint described. 

The teenager admitted to investigators that Chidester had taken the photo. When asked why, he responded, “She said I looked hot," according to the complaint.

Another video text exchanged between teacher and student showed the teen with “his hands on his genitals,” the complaint added. Chidester allegedly sent nudies to the student, as well. 

“Child pornography and sexual exploitation are heinous crimes perpetrated upon the most innocent of victims,” Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow told Oxygen.com in a statement.   

“Unfortunately, as technology has advanced, the potential for predatory conduct against our children has increased — as demonstrated by this case involving alleged conduct by a teacher,” he added. “We need to remain ever vigilant in protecting our children against predatory conduct.”  

Chidester and the 14-year-old allegedly chatted on the phone hundreds of times. The criminal complaint alleged that the science teacher courted the teen by spoiling him with presents, including a robe and a longboard.

Harris County prosecutors said that state charges against Chidester were dropped this week in favor of federal charges. The former high school teacher resigned in January according to the Chicago Tribune. 

Chidester’s detention hearing is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. If convicted, she could face a minimum of 15 years in prison, the Tribune also reported.