Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Offences; DNA Links Student to Newborn
Naomi Tekea Craig, a 33-year-old teacher from Mandurah, Western Australia, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to child sex offences involving a student. The charges follow an investigation in which police state DNA testing indicates the alleged victim is the father of a child recently born to Ms. Craig.
Police state DNA testing indicates the alleged victim is the father of a child recently born to Ms. Craig.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Ms. Craig appeared in Mandurah Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where her defence lawyer confirmed her intention to plead guilty to all charges. She is scheduled to appear in the Perth District Court on March 27 for a sentence mention, and her bail has been renewed.
Initially, Ms. Craig faced four child sex offences. These charges included two counts of sexually penetrating a child aged 13 to 16, persistently engaging in sexual conduct with a child under 16, and possessing child exploitation material.
Subsequently, 11 additional charges were laid, bringing the total number of allegations to 15. These additional charges included multiple counts of sexually penetrating a child, with alleged victims ranging from under 13 to under 16 years old, and indecent dealings with children.
Investigation Details
Police allege the conduct occurred between 2024 and 2025 involving a student at a school in Mandurah, south of Perth.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch stated that after Ms. Craig gave birth, a DNA test was conducted. Authorities believe the alleged victim fathered her newborn baby. Reports indicated that Ms. Craig was married and had another child with her husband at the time the allegations surfaced.
School and Official Responses
Frederick Irwin Anglican School informed parents that Ms. Craig had been suspended from her teaching role and was instructed not to visit the school grounds while the charges proceeded. The school stated it did not believe there was a need for concern regarding other children at the school.
Assistant Commissioner Blanch stated that the matter is before the court and that offences of this nature are considered serious, particularly when involving a person in a position of authority. Premier Roger Cook acknowledged the charges, noting that the matter is before the courts.