By Mindy Ragan Wood, Staff Writer – A Yukon High School student who claims to be a rape victim bragged about his part in an investigation that resulted in his chemistry teacher’s arrest on sex-related complaints, according to a social media account.
Additionally, sources told the Yukon Progress that the student, identified as Connor Shumaker, sent nude photographs of the teacher, Hunter Joanne Day, to all YHS coaches. On his SnapChat account Shumaker wrote, “the face you make when you ruin a bitch life and send her to prison for 10 years for rape and child pornography.” Shumaker can be seen smiling in the photograph.
Canadian County Sheriff Chris West, whose office conducted the investigation and arrest on Wednesday, said he cannot comment on an investigation that identifies a minor.
“All I’m concerned about is our investigation and our case. I’m not going to do anything to compromise the integrity of the investigation,” West said.
Day was arrested Wednesday after parents informed Canadian County Sheriff investigators that their son had been texting his science teacher, according to a prepared statement from West.
“Day, a school teacher with Yukon Public Schools was arrested by investigators at her Yukon residence after the Sheriff’s Office received a complaint by the under-aged boy’s parents who brought their son’s cell phone to the Sheriff’s Office, and asked for a forensic review of the phone. The parents told investigators they had already been through the phone and discovered text messages and nude photographs, and were concerned Day had already had sex with their son. They were also extremely concerned because they believed Day was their son’s Chemistry teacher,” the statement reads.
Investigators learned Day had arranged to meet the student at her home for sex on Wednesday afternoon. Investigators used the opportunity to catch Day soliciting sex and began texting her using the teen’s cell phone.
Investigators asked if the meeting was still on. Day replied “yes,” and indicated the teenager should hurry up and get there before her husband got home from work.
Once at the residence, investigators sent a text message to Day from the boy’s cell phone, and wrote “I’m here.” Day responded “the doors unlocked as usual.” Investigators opened the door and found Day sitting on the living room floor with the lights turned off, candles lit, and wearing a T-shirt and workout shorts.
Investigators identified themselves, and told Day why they were there. Day cooperated, and admitted to having a sexual relationship with the boy. She also admitted to sending bra and panty photographs, and that she had received photos of the boy’s genitalia.
While this is the first school teacher the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office has arrested for having sex with a student, their Internet Crimes Against Children unit has arrested many other people working in positions of public trust, including members of law enforcement, firefighters and the clergy.
“I’m no longer surprised by the people who commit these crimes, because predators come from all walks of life,” West said. “This is a classic case of a serious breach of public trust. School teachers are entrusted to protect and educate our children, not to engage in an unlawful sexual relationship with them.”
At a press conference Thursday morning, Yukon Superintendent Jason Simeroth became emotional.
“I’m heart broken,” he said, pausing to control his emotion. “It’s very emotional because our kids are our kids and the staff is our family, and we do everything we can to protect both. That’s number one in our book. It’s a huge disappointment and it’s hurtful to everybody in the district,” he said.
He declined to say if Day had been suspended from her job. Simeroth said the investigation is ongoing internally and within the sheriff’s department. He said he cannot legally comment on internal personnel investigations.
The Yukon Progress asked for the policy and procedures regarding the terms of employee discipline and dismissal. He declined to provide that directly.
“You can find this information in our board policies on our website,” he wrote in an email.
According to district policy an employee may be terminated for “willful neglect of duty, mental or physical abuse to a child, and ‘commission of an act of moral turpitude,” among others.
At press time Simeroth did not reply to an email asking for comment regarding the student’s social media comment if YHS coaches had received nude photos of Day. Day’s husband, Tyler Day, is an assistant coach at Yukon High School.
Both Hunter and Tyler Day started with the district in August. Both are graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University and married in July 2014.
Simeroth said district officials rigorously screen employees and see no possible changes to their hiring process.
Day was booked on complaints of second-degree rape, possession of child pornography and soliciting sex from a minor using technology. Her bond was set at $85,000.
