A former Ohio English teacher has admitted to sexually assaulting one of her students and now faces a year-and-a-half behind prison bars.
Jamelah Daboubi was teaching at Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School back on April 2, 2025, when she was caught in her car with a 15-year-old sophomore.
The alleged victim’s aunt, who is also his legal guardian, went looking for him that day and spotted Daboubi’s car parked just outside.
The woman said that she walked up to the vehicle and allegedly saw Daboubi sitting on her nephew’s lap. The teacher quickly hopped back into the driver’s seat once she realized someone was just outside the car.
The aunt spoke to the boy, who admitted he’d been sexually assaulted by Daboubi, and they went to the police.
While speaking to cops, the teen said he and his teacher had been texting and meeting up for some time. The child showed his phone to investigators and found that it contained hundreds of phone calls and thousands of texts between him and his teacher.
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The text messages confirmed what the teen was saying, and that he had been sexually assaulted by the older woman.
In February, Daboubi, 28, pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Her sentencing had been scheduled for Friday, March 20, but had to be rescheduled for unspecified reasons.
Text messages processed by authorities reportedly show that the woman and teenager had an inappropriate relationship.
Daboubi was scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, but the hearing was continued. A new sentencing date has not been set yet.
Daboubi lost her job soon after her arrest, according to local reports.
Daboubi had initially been indicted on two counts of sexual battery in June 2025.
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The charges were amended as part of a deal with prosecutors.
Daboubi could receive prison time when she is sentenced but could get a slap on the wrist: a judge could also decide to sentence her to five years of community control, continued counseling, community service, and the forfeiture of her teaching license.
As part of her plea deal, Daboubi must also register as a Tier II sex offender.
A new sentencing date has not yet been announced.
If you know of a young person who is being exploited or is the victim of a crime, you are urged to report it to your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left at tips.fbi.gov
