A former Midway ISD teacher's aide has been re-indicted on additional charges after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a student in 2015.
Michael George Benns, 35, was arrested on Nov. 3, 2015. He’s charged with the sexual assault of a child and with having an improper relationship between an educator and a student.
Waco police say they got the initial report on Valentine's Day this past February from a parent who believed her underage daughter was involved with a teacher. During an investigation, police determined that Benns and the student had consensual sex together.
Benns began working as a paraprofessional teacher's aide at the district's alternative campus in January 2015. Midway ISD officials said when they were made aware of the situation in February 2015, Benns was placed unpaid leave. They officially terminated him in March.
"While district administrators were not made aware of the investigation’s details of the alleged misconduct, police advised that the claims against Mr. Benns occurred outside the scope of his employment with the District," said officials with Midway ISD.
Midway ISD officials add that during his time with the district, Benns assisted in the Excel Lab at the alternative campus and said he was never alone in a classroom with any students.
According to Waco Police Department Spokesman, Sgt. Patrick Swanton, Benns may have started his relationship with the girl, before joining the district.
“We believe that their relationship may have evolved outside of the school,” Swanton said, “Through another relationship that they had."
A man with the same name is listed as the current Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church NBC in Waco. Leaders at the church told us that they do have a current youth pastor named Michael Benns, but refused to comment further.
If convicted, officials said he will have to register as a sex offender.
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