Alabama Educator Accused of Sex with Student

(Pelham, Alabama) A 33-year-old assistant principal formerly at Pelham High School, Catherine Michelle Bell, has been accused of engaging in sex with a student.

Bell faces three counts of school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student under the age of 19 years.

The sheriff's office says the Pelham Police Department referred the investigation to them. Investigators with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the Shelby County D.A. decided there was enough probable cause to arrest Bell on the charges of sex with a student.

Bell resigned from her position on Nov. 21, according to a statement from the Shelby County School system.

A Shelby County Schools spokesperson says the district took immediate action when they first found out about the allegations.

"The employee was placed on administrative leave while the matter was being investigated by the school district, with the assistance of local law enforcement. She subsequently resigned from her position on November 21," the statement says.

Bell was booked into custody at the Shelby County Jail and released on $90,000 bond.