Australian teacher Karly Rae has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 15-year-old student just weeks after giving birth, according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Karly Rae, a 37-year-old high school teacher from New South Wales, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving the sexual abuse of a teenage boy. The incidents occurred near Newcastle, Australia, and Rae’s guilty plea was reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Rae, who gave birth to her child nearly eight weeks ago, faced charges that included engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old boy, possessing child abuse material, grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity, and committing an act with the intention of perverting the course of justice. Initially, Rae had pleaded not guilty to these charges in May but changed her plea last month.
Her attorney, Mark Ramsland, emphasized the need for the court to prioritize her case, noting that Rae appeared in court with her infant. The court proceedings revealed that Rae had communicated with the victim through social media platforms, including Snapchat and Instagram. Reports indicate that the sexual abuse took place in the suburbs of Bolton Point, Merewether, and Belmont.
Evidence presented in court included messages exchanged between Rae and the teenager. In one message, Rae reportedly apologized for removing the boy from her Snapchat friends list, stating, “I found it too tempting for now.” The boy responded by asking if they should remove each other, to which Rae replied, “It’s my fault. I take full responsibility. Do what you want/need.”
In another exchange, Rae suggested they meet again, saying, “Maybe we could have one last rendezvous before school goes back. I’ll bring my toy.” The situation came to light when the teenager’s cousin discovered the messages and informed their parents, who subsequently reported the matter to the police.
Upon her arrest, Rae allegedly claimed she was unaware of the teenager’s age, stating, “I thought he was of age… and leaving school.” According to ABC, Rae was granted bail by the Supreme Court in June after informing the court of her pregnancy, although an earlier bail application had been denied.
Rae was originally scheduled to stand trial in August 2025, but those dates have now been vacated. Judge Roy Ellis has allocated two and a half hours for a sentencing hearing set for March 25, with a sentencing assessment report to be prepared in advance. Ramsland mentioned that there would be “a lot of subjective material” included in the submissions for sentencing.
Notably, police facts cited by ABC indicated that Rae had completed child protection training in February 2024, as per a professional learning transcript from the New South Wales Department of Education. She remains on bail while awaiting sentencing.
Source: Original article