An Ohio substitute teacher, Stephanie Demetrius, was arrested for allegedly attempting to hire a high school student to kill her estranged husband. The plot was discovered after the student’s mother found texts between her son and the teacher discussing the plan and contacted the police. Police stated that Demetrius was trying to groom the student into committing murder, and credited the mother for helping to bring the situation to light. Demetrius had approached the student at the Columbus school and offered him $2,000 to carry out the killing, giving him $250 as a down payment.
A recorded phone call between Demetrius and the student confirmed the remaining payment for the murder plot. The teacher, who was in the process of divorcing her husband, provided details about the target’s work schedule and when her children would be out of the house. She also indicated that neighbors would not hear the gunfire during the incident. Demetrius appeared in court where her public defender denied the allegations and claimed they were fabricated. Prosecutors mentioned previous threats made by Demetrius towards her husband, leading to him obtaining a protection order.
Demetrius exhibited possessive and controlling behavior, which raised concerns about her intentions towards her estranged husband. She is currently being held on a $150,000 bond and is not allowed to have any contact with her husband or the minor involved in the case. The teacher is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 11 to address the charges against her. The Academy for Urban Scholars High School, where Demetrius worked, did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the incident.
The swift action taken by the student’s mother in contacting the authorities prevented a potential tragedy from occurring. The case highlighted the importance of vigilance and parental involvement in monitoring children’s activities and interactions, especially concerning sensitive and dangerous situations like murder-for-hire plots. Demetrius’ arrest sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students in the school where she was employed as a substitute teacher.
The details of the murder-for-hire plot and the alleged conduct of Demetrius shed light on the potential dangers of individuals abusing their positions of trust and authority in educational settings. The case serves as a reminder of the need for thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring of school staff to ensure the safety and protection of students. Demetrius’ actions have prompted discussions about the impact of such incidents on the school community and the measures that can be implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
