BAY CITY, Texas -- A Bay City high school teacher was arrested and charged with having sex with a student, Local 2 reported in an exclusive story Wednesday.

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Parents React To Allegations Against Teacher

Janay Willson, 31, was indicted on two counts of sexual assault of a child.

Matagorda County officials said she had a sexual relationship with the 16-year-old male student in December 1999 and January 2000 but it did not come to light until 2004. The student has since graduated.

Willson was a nine-year veteran of the Bay City High School's English department.

Willson resigned from her job right before Christmas. She was suspended when the allegations first came to light on Oct. 31.

"It hurts so much to think that we would have anybody that would break that public trust," said Richard Walton, with the Bay City Independent School District.

Willson was arrested and posted a $40,000 bond.

She was not available for comment.

Residents of the small town were initially shocked to hear about the charges.

"You always think that that's something that happens somewhere else and not here," said Lynn Grebene, the school's Booster Club president.

But he said rumors have circulated for years.

"There's a part of you that believes it. There's part of you that doesn't want to believe it. It's just so far-fetched," Grebene said.

"I thought she was a very concerned teacher. I was absolutely flabbergasted to tell you the truth," said Sally Chitwood, a parent.

Sources told Local 2 that officials are awaiting paternity tests on one of Willson's children to determine if the student is the baby's father.

Willson is also facing an investigation by the State Board of Educators to determine if she will permanently lose her license to teach.