WELLSTON, OKLAHOMA: A 26-year-old former Wellston Public Schools substitute teacher, Emma Delaney Hancock, was arrested on Thursday, April 13, after she got caught for having an alleged relationship with a 15-year-old student. She is now facing charges of lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child under 16, soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology, and obscene or indecent writings and pictures.
According to the affidavit, Hancock received the student’s number on October 6, 2022, for an assignment. Later that same day, Hancock sent him a friend request on Snapchat, reports Fox25. Interim Public Information Officer for the Oklahoma State Board of Investigations Gerald Davidson, said, as per KFOR Oklahoma's News 4, "It started evolving into a more personal type of text message and they became sexual in nature."
Teacher sent nudes to student
The affidavit states that their relationship became physical during the first week of November and the two started exchanging nude photos and videos. The boy sent a shirtless snap of himself to Hancock via Snapchat to which, she responded, "Are we sending half naked pictures now?" The student replied, "I don't know, are we?" She then allegedly wrote, "Are you trying to get me to lose my job?" reports Daily Mail.
The boy admitted everything to the investigators, who started looking into the teacher after allegations surfaced of her sending nude photos to the student, that he had met Hancock inside the school several times to "make out."
Another student was aware of the alleged relationship
According to Fox25, Hancock "kissed and touched him during lunch break while hiding inside classroom closets or pantries." She would allegedly let the student vape from her vape pen. Another student was aware of the alleged relationship between Hancock and the 15-year-old. When asked if it was true, she admitted that it was. The student said Hancock admitted to the relationship but said, “it would not amount to anything because they were not going to get caught.”
Who is Emma Delaney Hancock?
According to DailyMail, Hancock is married to the town's Chief of Police Alfred Hancock, and is believed to be the daughter of Wellston Mayor Paul Whitnah. As per the outlet, Hancock appeared in court on April 13 and was released on a $50,000 bond.
Following Hancock's allegations, Mike Franz, the superintendent of Wellston Public Schools, issued the following statement saying, "These allegations came about in November. Once the district became aware of the allegations, the substitute was immediately removed from our call list and not allowed back on campus. In addition, the district immediately notified local, county, and state (OSBI) law enforcement officials. The district cooperated, when asked, throughout OSBI's investigation."
