ROGERS, Ark. (KFSM) — A Rogers homeschool teacher is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student for the past nine months.
Alisa Andrews, 50, was arrested Wednesday (Oct. 30) in connection with first-degree sexual assault -- a Class A felony.
The girl's parents said she told them she'd been having a sexual relationship with Andrews, who teaches a biology class at Rogers Christian Church to a small group of teens, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The documents don't outline any sexual contact occurring on church property.
Zack Davis, lead pastor at Rogers Christian Church, said the church hosts multiple home-school groups on its campus, adding that Andrews wasn't affiliated with the church.
"We're praying for the victim and her family," Davis said.
The girl told Rogers police Andrews teaches through their homeschool network, the Northwest Arkansas Chstirian Homeschool Education Association.
The association said through a statement that it has "been assured that there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that there was anyone other than one student involved, and there was no misconduct that occurred during our classes."
"(Andrews) has not been a part of the group for quite some time, and when she was with us, to our knowledge, she was never alone with any student," the statement said.
The association added that it has guidelines in place requiring at least two parents in a classroom — "a protective measure for both students and teachers" -- and takes "the safety of our children very seriously."
According to its website, the association has campuses in Rogers and Fayetteville offering co-op classes and teen fellowship to "all denominations, walks of life, and financial levels."
Andrews is free on a $25,000 bond. She's due Dec. 9 in Benton County Circuit Court.
In Arkansas, Class A felonies are punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.