An Australian high school teacher and new mother has entered a guilty plea for sexually abusing a teenage student, casting a dark shadow over the education community.
Guilty Plea Entered in Newcastle Court
Karly Rae, 37, pleaded guilty to four serious charges in Newcastle District Court in New South Wales. The shocking case involves sexual abuse of a 15-year-old boy that occurred multiple times in October 2024.
The teacher, who has an eight-week-old baby, saw her lawyer request the case be handled as a priority due to her status as a new mother. Rae had originally pleaded not guilty in May but changed her plea this week.
Social Media Evidence Reveals Grooming
Court records presented disturbing evidence of communication between Rae and the victim through social media platforms. Instagram and Snapchat messages showed the teacher acknowledging the inappropriate nature of their relationship.
In one particularly revealing message obtained by Australian Broadcasting Corp., Rae wrote: "Hey, sorry for removing you on Snap. I found it too tempting for now." When the teenager questioned whether they should cut contact, Rae accepted full responsibility.
Even more alarming was Rae's suggestion for "one last rendezvous before school goes back" where she mentioned bringing her "toy" according to the agreed statement of facts presented in court.
Case Discovery and Legal Proceedings
The abuse came to light when the boy's cousin witnessed their Instagram exchanges and informed his parents, who subsequently contacted police. Rae was arrested and initially claimed she didn't know the boy's age, telling officers she "thought he was of age ... and leaving school."
The charges Rae faced included:
- Having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old boy
- Possession of child abuse material
- Grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity
- Committing an act with the intention of perverting the course of justice
Rae was granted bail in June after informing the court she was pregnant, following an initial bail denial. She was scheduled to stand trial in August 2026 but the guilty plea has accelerated the process.
Judge Roy Ellis has ordered a sentencing assessment report and scheduled the sentencing hearing for March 25, 2025. Rae remains out on bail until that date, awaiting her fate in a case that has raised serious questions about teacher-student boundaries and professional conduct.
