A married prison headteacher had an inappropriate sexual relationship with an incarcerated 18 year-old, it is claimed. Christy Sampson-Kelly, 49, is said to have exchanged 762 phone calls with the teen while working at a New Orleans prison, with many of those calls ‘of an extremely sexual and explicit nature.’

Investigators say the contents of those phone calls suggested Sampson-Kelly and the inmate ‘were involved in a sexual type of relationship and may have engaged in sexual conduct.’ The mother of four is accused of targeting the boy while running the education program at the city’s Juvenile Justice Intervention Center.

Sampson-Kelly was arrested on Friday after she was accused of making the calls to the teenager after he was moved from the juvenile facility where she worked in January. He was transferred to the New Orleans’ Orleans justice Center – the city’s main adult prison – in January.

She is also said to have made seven deposits into the boy’s account, totaling $370. Sampson-Kelly gave a lengthy interview about her work in 2015, where she hailed her children and husband.

She said: ‘My family is an incredible part of who I am. I have four kids; they keep me smiling and ensure that I don’t get lost in the work.

‘I have a true partner in my husband, who supports me in my wanderings and in continually becoming who I am.’ Sampson-Kelly was director of the Travis Hill School, which oversees education for incarcerated youngsters.

The teacher also spoke of her desire to create educational programs that ‘promotes healthy relationships and focuses on the young peoples’ strengths.’

She has a PhD in special education, and spoke at a Harvard Law School conference about child welfare in April 2019.

WWL reported that she has been charged with having a sexual relationship with an inmate.

Her alleged victim was above the Louisiana age of consent, but Sampson-Kelly is accused of breaking laws banning relationships between vulnerable people and adults with authority over them.

She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted, and has been barred from returning to work until the case against her is resolved.

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