Teacher indicted on student sex charges

A Williamson County grand jury has indicted former Independence High School teacher Heather Thorsby on seven counts related to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student.

Thorsby, 34, is charged with three counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, two counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and two counts of exploitation of a minor by electronic means. Prosecutors presented the case to a grand jury on Nov. 5.

A report by Williamson County Detective Grant Benedict accused the former art teacher of having had sexual contact with a student “at various times at her school and home” between Nov. 11, 2006 and March 30, 2007.

Thorsby was arrested on May 15 and charged then with sexual battery by an authority figure. School officials suspended Thorsby without pay on May 11, after she admitted to displaying conduct unbecoming of a teacher.

In May, Williamson County Sheriff Ricky Headley said Thorsby told school officials she’d been having an inappropriate relationship with a female student. Headley said the relationship began as a friendship but turned sexual.

The girl turned 18 in March. Her parents uncovered the relationship after finding a message in her room, Headley said. The parents went to school officials.

Thorsby remains free on $10,000 bail. She is living in Columbia, according to court documents.