WILMINGTON, DE — Delaware State Police announced the arrest of 42-year-old Reed Messer, a former Delaware educator for multiple counts of rape after accusations of a sexual relationship with a former student.
The Criminal complaint alleges that on December 23, 2022, the Delaware State Police Troop 2, Criminal Investigations Unit, received a report from the Delaware Division of Family Services alleging a former teacher at Stanton Middle School, located at 1800 Limestone Road, Wilmington, had a sexual relationship with a juvenile student, approximately nine years prior. Through further investigation it was determined that the teacher and student had an apparent sexual relationship that began in October 2014 and lasted for approximately two months.
On April 26, 2023, troopers secured an arrest warrant for Messer, and South Carolina law enforcement located her at her home in Greenville. She was taken into custody and held in the Department of Corrections in South Carolina until her extradition to Delaware on Monday, May 8, 2023.
On May 8, 2023, Messer was transported to Troop 2 where she was charged with the following crimes:
- Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person of Trust 1st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
- Rape 3rd Degree (Felony)- 10 Counts
- Rape 4th Degree (Felony)- 10 Counts
Following her arraignment by the Justice of the Peace Court No. 2, Messer was committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $310,000 cash bond. It should be noted that Reed Messer has not been a staff member of the Red Clay Consolidated School District since November 2014. Due to the sensitivity of the case and out of respect for the victim, only limited information can be made public.
The Criminal Investigations Unit of Delaware State Police Troop 2 is actively investigating this case and urges anyone with information about Messer’s potential involvement in other criminal activities to contact Detective A. Bange by calling 302-365-8390. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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