A Lafayette middle school math teacher, Christie Oster, 38, was arrested Jan. 28 and charged with indecent behavior with juveniles and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Oster, who was named Broussard Middle School's 2025–26 Teacher of the Year in September, has been placed on administrative leave and the school's congratulatory Facebook post was removed. She is held on $50,000 bond and faces up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing; the charges remain allegations.
Teacher Of The Year Arrested Months After Honor, Accused Of Sexual Contact With Former Student
Christie OsterLafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
A Lafayette, Louisiana, middle school teacher who was named her school's 2025–26 Teacher of the Year has been arrested and charged with sexual misconduct involving a former student.
Arrest And Charges
Authorities say 38-year-old Christie Oster was taken into custody on Wednesday, Jan. 28. She faces charges of indecent behavior with juveniles and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Local reporting indicates the allegation centers on an inappropriate relationship with a former student; investigators with the Lafayette Police Department are continuing to probe the matter.
Christie OsterLafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
School Response And Background
Oster taught eighth-grade math at Broussard Middle School in Lafayette. The school district selected her as the school's 2025–26 Teacher of the Year in September 2025 and posted a congratulatory message on Facebook that has since been removed.
"At BMS, we are proud of ALL of our amazing teachers and staff who give so much each day to our students. These two educators have gone above and beyond, and we are so lucky to have their dedication, hard work, and passion as part of our school family."
A spokesperson for the Lafayette Parish School District told local outlets that Oster has been placed on administrative leave following her arrest. The district had not provided additional comment as of Sunday, Feb. 1.
Broussard Middle School in Lafayette, La.Google Maps
Legal Details And Potential Penalties
According to reporting from the Acadiana Advocate, the carnal knowledge charge applies when a person older than 17 has sexual intercourse with someone aged 13–17 and the age difference exceeds four years. Oster is being held at the Lafayette Parish Jail on $50,000 bond. If convicted on the charges she faces, she could receive up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Resources
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. For those affected by sexual abuse, the Crisis Text Line is available by texting STRENGTH to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Note: These are allegations. Oster is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Lafayette Police Department and the Lafayette Parish School District continue to investigate.
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