Overview: Sydnee Graf, a 36-year-old fifth-grade math teacher in Jefferson County, Kentucky, faces newly filed charges including rape and sodomy of a child under 12, along with an unlawful transaction with a minor under 16. Authorities allege investigators recovered explicit communications and that Graf arranged a December 15 meeting with the juvenile before being arrested. A search of Graf's vehicle allegedly turned up pills later identified as hydrocodone and Adderall. Bail is set at $500,000 and the case is expected to be presented to a grand jury soon.
Kentucky 5th-Grade Teacher Arrested Again — Faces New Charges Including Rape and Sodomy of Child Under 12; Bail Set at $500,000
jefferson county sheriff's departmentSydnee Graf
Sydnee Graf, a 36-year-old fifth-grade math teacher in Jefferson County, Kentucky, has been charged with a new set of alleged crimes that authorities say are far more serious than the accusations that led to her December arrest.
New Charges: Court records show prosecutors this week added counts that include rape of a child under 12, sodomy of a child under 12, and an unlawful transaction with a minor under 16. Those charges are described in filings made in Jefferson County Court.
Earlier Investigation: Louisville Metro Police say they were contacted by Jefferson County Public Schools after school officials reported what they described as the alleged exploitation of a juvenile victim by a teacher. Graf was initially arrested in December on charges of procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means and possession of a controlled substance following an investigation into communications with a juvenile.
Alleged Communications and Arrest: Investigators allege they recovered explicit text messages and online exchanges between Graf and a fifth-grade student. Court records quote one of the alleged messages in censored form. Police say Graf arranged to meet the juvenile on December 15; officers were reportedly waiting at the location and arrested her when she arrived.
Authorities say that after being advised of her Miranda rights, Graf admitted to the conversation. A search warrant executed on her vehicle allegedly turned up pills that were later identified as hydrocodone and Adderall. She was booked and released after the December arrest, but has since been taken back into custody following the new charges.
Bail And Conditions: Bail has been set at $500,000. Court filings indicate that if Graf were to post bail, she would be prohibited from having any contact with the alleged victim or any minors unless that contact is supervised. The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury in the near term.
Public Record And Response: Records show Graf — a married mother of two — had previously used social media to post a reply to a public figure. Her attorney did not respond to requests for comment from the reporting outlet cited in the court documents.
Resources: Anyone affected by sexual violence can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for support and resources.
Note: All allegations are from court records and police filings. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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