A Washington special education teacher is accused of raping her 10-year-old student in a classroom on multiple occasions.
Mahayla Benavides, 32, is charged with child rape and child molestation, according to online court records.
A statement of facts filed in court and reviewed by PEOPLE alleges that Benavides, a teacher at Stevens Elementary School in Spokane, Wash., sexually assaulted the fourth grade student several times.
The child allegedly told a detective in an interview that Benavides performed sexual acts in a classroom and in a smaller adjacent room, according to the statement of facts.
Benavides is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the student in the smaller room, while also performing sexual acts in a private area of the main classroom.
The student allegedly told police that the abuse occurred nearly every day and “sometimes as much as five times per day,” according to the statement.
Police alleged, per the statement, that they searched Benavides’ phone and found sexual videos she took of herself which she allegedly showed to the student, as well as a video of her having sex with him.
The student further alleged that Benavides told him not to tell anyone because she could potentially lose her job or get in trouble. He was also asked if she would ever give him gifts and allegedly responded by saying she would give him brownies.
Benavides was arrested and is currently being held in Spokane County jail.
“Spokane School District 81 acted quickly once this information was brought to their attention, promptly separating Benavides from the child and further school access, and calling police,” the Spokane Police Department said in a press release. “The school district’s swift actions and cooperation played a vital role in this investigation and prevented further harm.”
KXLY reported that she pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on Tuesday, March 17.
According to the outlet, prosecutors initially asked for a $750,000 bond citing the serious nature of the crimes and saying Benavides is a threat to the community, however, the judge lowered the bond to $500,000 after her defense attorney argued against it, citing her financial status and lack of prior convictions.
Her trial has been scheduled for May, per the outlet.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.