The State Law Enforcement Division has arrested a 37-year-old North Augusta teacher who is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old female pupil.
Shannon Fowler, an eighth-grade math teacher at Paul Knox Middle School, is charged with five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one count of enticing an enrolled child from attendance in school and one count of violating mandated test security regulations and procedures set forth by the state Board of Education.
Arrest affidavits said Fowler, of the 400 block of Pine Butte Lane in North Augusta, communicated with the pupil "all hours of the day and evening" and engaged the girl in "adult-themed conversations" that were inappropriate for a minor.
SLED spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said, "There is not enough evidence to determine if a sexual relationship existed at this time."
The affidavits said Fowler bought the girl a prepaid cell phone May 20 without the knowledge or permission of the girl's parents.
The warrants allege she urged the girl to create a false persona to hide their friendship. The teacher is also accused of driving the girl home from school several times a week without permission from the girl's parents.
The investigation by SLED found that the teacher discussed standardized test questions with the pupil, a violation of South Carolina law. Agents began their investigation of Fowler in June at the request of the North Augusta Department of Public Safety, according to SLED.
"The decision to call SLED was to eliminate any conflict that may arise as a result of this investigation, due to Fowler's husband's previous employment with the North Augusta Department of Public Safety," said Lt. Tim Pearson of public safety in a statement.
Mrs. Fowler was freed from the Aiken County Detention Center on July 30 on a personal recognizance bond.
Reach Michelle Guffey at michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.
