The Nebraska teacher accused of sexually abusing a teenage student has been pictured looking unkempt in a new mugshot and appeared in court where bail was set at $25,000.
Erin Ward, 45, was visibly dazed and disheveled in a mugshot released by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office three days after her arrest.
She appeared in court Tuesday, clad in an orange jumpsuit, to face one count of felony sexual abuse by a school employee.
‘Ma’am, you are charged with a Class IIA felony. That is punishable by up to 20 years in jail, up to a $10,000 fine, or both. Do you understand the possible consequences here?’ the judge asked.
Ward affirmed before the judge advised that she may have to enroll in the state sex offender registry if convicted.
Erin Ward, 45, appeared dazed and disheveled in a mugshot released by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office ahead of her first court appearance
The married mother of three faces one count of felony sexual abuse by a school employee, carrying a sentence of up to 20 years in prison
Ward’s 10th-grade daughter (front left) is around the same age as the boy the substitute teacher admitted to sexually abusing
The married mother of three admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old student after the pair were caught in the backseat of a car belonging to Ward and her husband – who is a higher-up at the Department of Defense.
Before her arrest, Ward worked as a substitute teacher at several metro area schools. It was at Omaha Burke High School she met the teenage boy with whom she was found in the early-morning hours of April 13.
Around 3 a.m., Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies were called to investigate a suspicious car parked on a dead-end road.
There, they found Ward and the victim inside a Honda Pilot ‘determined to be owned by Ward and her spouse,’ the DSCO wrote in a press release.
The 17-year-old jumped into the driver’s seat and sped off in the SUV, crashing into a yard two blocks away. He then ran away wearing only a t-shirt, boxers and socks, and was found about an hour later.
Ward was getting dressed in the back seat when deputies approached.
They recovered an Omaha Public Schools employee ID from inside the car. Ward confirmed she was a substitute teacher at Harry A. Burke High School, where the teen was enrolled, and admitted to having sexual intercourse with him.
Both she and the victim were taken to the hospital to treat minor injuries resulting from the crash.
As the age of consent in Nebraska is 16, the teacher was not charged with statutory rape, but faces a Class IIA felony charge carrying up to 20 years behind bars.
Ward, who lives with her family in Gretna, has an adopted daughter who is around the same age as her victim.
Ward was arrested Saturday morning after Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies found her naked inside the car with the student, who crashed into a yard and fled on foot
Ward (center) worked at several Omaha-area schools include Harry A. Burke High School, where her victim was enrolled
She and the teen were found in a car she owned alongside her husband, 53-year-old Doug Ward, a U.S. Department of Defense employee
Doug graduated from the Harvard Extension School in 2021 with a master’s degree in political science and government and has worked with the federal government for nearly two decades
Police recovered an Omaha Public Schools ID from the car where Ward and the boy were found and she admitted to the crime
Her husband, 53-year-old William Douglas ‘Doug’ Ward, is a Harvard-educated deputy at the Department of Defense.
Doug was appointed Deputy Director of the Commander’s Action Group and Senior Nuclear Deterrence Advisor at the United States Strategic Command in February.
His LinkedIn shows he worked with the Strategic Command since 2005 and initially served as a Deputy Branch Chief.
The Strategic Command, which is headquartered in Omaha, is a military unit that detects and deters attacks against the country and its allies.
In addition to his impressive job title, Doug graduated from the Harvard Extension School in 2021 with a master’s degree in political science and government.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced that it is working closely with Omaha Public Schools amid the ongoing investigation.
Burke’s principal, Darren Rasmussen, released a statement to members of the community following news of Ward’s arrest.
‘We are writing to share that law enforcement has arrested a metro-area substitute teacher for inappropriate conduct with a minor,’ he wrote.
‘The individual worked at Burke High several days during the 2023-24 school year. They will not be returning to our school or any others in our district.
‘Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of the students we serve. We take this most seriously. Counselors will be available on Tuesday for students in need of support.’
The affidavit has been sealed by the court. Ward’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 22.