Triad teacher still a threat to student she’s accused of soliciting for sex, judge says
A March hearing in the case of a Triad Middle School dance coach and eighth-grade science teacher charged with grooming and indecent solicitation of a male student has been postponed until June.
Erin M. Garwood, 40, of Edwardsville, who was arrested on Dec. 5 and pleaded “not guilty” on Dec. 13, had been due to appear in Madison County Circuit Court on Monday.
In the meantime, the court already has ruled that Garwood continues to pose a physical threat to the student, who is now 18, and his family.
At the December arraignment, Madison County Circuit Court Judge Kyle Napp set Garwood’s bail at $75,000, so she was required to pay $7,500.
The judge also approved State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons’ motion for additional bail bond conditions, requiring that the Garwood not “harass, intimidate or interfere with the personal liberty” of the student, enter onto the premises of his home or have any contact with him, remaining at least 500 feet away.
“The Defendant has previously threatened or perpetrated physical abuse toward the victim in this matter,” the motion stated. “On information and belief, the Defendant presents a continued threat to the victim.”
Garwood is being represented by Glen Carbon attorney Judy Steele.
Officials and court documents identify the student only by initials because he was a minor at the time of the alleged offense.
Garwood resigned in July from her job with Triad Community Unit School District 2, according to Superintendent Leigh Lewis. She had been employed 14 years.
“We’re not involved in the court case,” Lewis said. “We turned it over to (the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services) and Madison County. We did receive notification from the (Illinois State Board of Education) about her teaching license being suspended.”
Garwood was charged Dec. 5 with indecent solicitation of a child, a Class 2 felony, and grooming, a Class 4 felony.
Garwood told the student via Snapchat that she wanted to have sexual intercourse with him, according to a Dec. 6 news release from the Madison County state’s attorney’s office. The solicitation allegedly occurred between Aug. 1, 2016, and Oct. 31, 2018.
“When a teacher to student relationship steps outside of school boundaries, there are always legal concerns,” State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons stated in the release. “In cases such as this, it is a reminder to perpetrators that evidence such as Snapchats do not entirely disappear in seconds.”
Garwood was hired in 2005 and continued to work for Triad until she was placed on paid leave in May of last year, Lewis said in December.
“Anytime an employee is being investigated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, they must be removed from their position pending the outcome of the investigation,” Lewis said. “That is our board policy.”
Lewis said the allegation involving Garwood was brought to her attention last spring by Triad High School administrators, and she reported it to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
Lewis said such cases can be disruptive to students and staff.
“These very serious matters do take a toll on people,” she said. “Relationships are everything in education. They are so vital to the success of teachers in their classrooms.”
Garwood earned $54,624 in 2017 as a teacher at Triad Middle School, according to the Illinois Public Salaries Database.
Her postponned hearing was rescheduled for June 15, said Taylor Donohoo, spokeswoman for the Madison County state’s attorney’s office.
“Maybe there was a scheduling conflict with one of the attorneys,” she said when asked why the continuation was granted.
The maximum penalty for conviction on a Class 2 felony is seven years with the Illinois Department of Corrections, plus fines, restitution and court assessments. The maximum penalty for a Class 4 felony is three years.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 11:10 AM.
