MERIDIAN - A Meridian teacher is behind bars, and police say she had inappropriate contact with one of her students.
The teacher, Ashley Jo Beach, 37, has been arrested on a felony charge of lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16
Officers say they caught Beach in the bushes with a 13-year-old boy Thursday night in Meridian. It started with a call from neighbors in the area of Cherry Lane and Vineyards - who say they saw something suspicious about 9:30 p.m.
When officers arrived, they say Beach and the boy were between a fence and some bushes, lying down - partially concealed from view. They questioned Beach and the child, and said there were inconsistencies in their stories.
Detectives started investigating and say they found that Beach had been involved in a sexual relationship with the boy since April. The two had also been sending photos back and forth via cell phone. They say the boy is a former student.
The Meridian Middle School website lists Beach as a math and science teacher. She is married and has three children.
Beach is being held in the Ada County Jail and was booked in yesterday afternoon.
She was arraigned this afternoon and her bond was set at $300,000.
The Meridian School District has put her on paid administrative leave.
