A former substitute teacher in Pulaski County, Missouri, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after investigators determined she engaged in unlawful interactions with students, offering them money and prohibited substances in return for inappropriate contact.
Carissa Jane Smith, 30, received her sentence on Wednesday following a plea agreement reached in September.
She pleaded guilty to one count of endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of inappropriate conduct with a student.
She was given six years on the first charge and two years each on the remaining charges, all to be served consecutively.
Smith originally faced some felony charges, which included serious offences involving minors. These were reduced as part of the plea deal after prosecutors and investigators reviewed the available evidence.
Authorities say the misconduct occurred while Smith was employed as a paraprofessional and long-term substitute within the Dixon R-I School District, where she had worked since August 2022. She resigned in August 2024 after the allegations surfaced.
According to official documents, Smith contacted students primarily through social media platforms and later arranged private meetings.
Students reported receiving cash, marijuana, and alcohol in exchange for prohibited interactions. Some said payments were made through digital transfer services, while others received cash directly.
Investigators noted that the meetings often took place in secluded outdoor locations, such as rural roads or isolated fields, as well as at Smith’s home when her spouse was away for work. Witness statements also described efforts by Smith to prevent exposure, including destroying a student’s mobile phone after learning it contained compromising material.
School district officials acknowledged the severity of the allegations. Superintendent Travis Bohrer called the situation “deeply troubling” in a statement to families and said the district worked closely with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
Smith is now in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections, where she will serve her full sentence under state supervision.
