SPOKANE, Wash – A Spokane elementary school teacher charged with raping her 10-year-old student pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mahayla Benavides faces child rape and child molestation charges. Police say she sexually assaulted a student multiple times, even videotaping an encounter in a classroom at Stevens Elementary School.
She’s also accused of making explicit videos of herself and showing them to the boy.
Prosecutors initially asked for a $750,000 bond, citing the serious nature of the crimes and saying she’s a threat to the community.
In court Tuesday, her defense attorney argued to lower that bond, citing her financial status and lack of prior convictions.
The judge lowered the bond to $500,000.
If she does post bond, she’s not allowed contact with minors.
Her trial is scheduled for May.
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