An Augusta-area teacher charged with allegedly molesting a student was granted bond Tuesday, but she could face deportation, according to the Richmond County District Attorney's Office.
Rumah Byrapaka, 24, of Evans was arrested Thursday on charges of child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes, according to Richmond County Sheriff’s Office booking records. The Hephzibah Middle School teacher, who has been put on leave, is accused of making sexual contact with a 13-year-old student.
On Tuesday, Byrapaka was granted a $15,000 bond for a child molestation charge and a $10,000 bond on a separate charge of enticing a child for indecent purposes, according to a report by the Augusta Chronicle.
If the Evans woman can post bond, she will be released from Charles B. Webster Detention Center, the district attorney’s office told the newspaper. However, she will be placed in a federal detention center on an immigration hold.
Byrapaka is not a U.S. citizen, but she has a student visa, so she could face deportation.
Judge Scott Allen set several conditions on her bond, including no contact with the victim or victim's family, no contact with people under the age of 18 and no teaching at any school.
Byrapaka allegedly sent nude pictures and explicit text messages to the boy and engaged in kissing and indecent touching with him at the school, according to arrest warrants obtained by the Chronicle.
She has been placed on administrative leave with pay, and a spokesperson for the school system has not provided further details on her employment status.
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