Darcy Smith, center, when she was named “Teacher of the Year” in 2012. Also pictured is Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson, left, and Interim Superintendent Alan Spicciati, right. Photo courtesy Highline Public Schools.
The Seattle P-I is reporting that a King County jury has acquitted Darcy Smith, a former Highline Public Schools teacher accused of sexual misconduct with an underage student.
The jury returned its verdict after one day of deliberation, and acquitted Smith on all counts.
As we previously reported, Smith, 42, formerly a teacher at McMicken Heights Elementary School, was accused of abusing a boy for more than two years after first having sex with him at age 14.
The one-time elementary school teacher was named “Teacher of the Year” for the region in 2012.
“Darcy and her family want to thank all of those former students, colleagues, and friends who have expressed their unwavering support and belief in her innocence throughout a difficult time,” her attorney, Brad Meryhew, wrote in a statement on Thursday.
Read the full story here.