Nebraska substitute teacher Erin Ward, who was caught naked in a car with a teenage student, is married to Doug Ward, a high-ranking federal government employee at the US Department of Defense. The couple has three kids together, and social media posts shared by the Gretna couple indicate that Erin Ward confessed to having sex with the 17-year-old student from Burke High School where she worked, leading to her being charged with felony sexual abuse by a school employee.
Doug Ward has had a long career with the US Strategic Command, one of the unified combatant commands within the Defense Department, headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha. He began his career in 2005 and has since risen to the rank of deputy director of the commander’s action group. Doug Ward also holds degrees from the University of Illinois, Bellevue University, and Harvard Extension School, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in defense and strategic studies at Missouri State University.
Erin Ward was arrested after sheriff’s deputies found her with the teenager in a car parked on a dead-end street. When authorities discovered the pair, the nearly naked teen panicked and drove off, crashing two blocks away before fleeing on foot. Erin Ward remained in the car, got dressed, and then admitted to sleeping with the boy, confessing that she was a substitute teacher at various schools, including the one where the teen was a student.
Despite the teenager being above the age of consent in Nebraska, Erin Ward still faced charges of felony sexual abuse by a school employee, given the nature of her relationship with the student. The young man was eventually located hiding in a yard in only his T-shirt and underwear, and the circumstances of the incident have sparked outrage and controversy in the local community. The case was first reported by the Daily Mail, bringing attention to the illicit affair between the substitute teacher and the student.
The scandal surrounding Erin Ward and the teen has brought unwanted attention to the Ward family, especially to Doug Ward’s association with the US Department of Defense and the US Strategic Command. The incident has raised questions about the appropriateness of the relationship between the substitute teacher and the underage student, and the legal consequences that Erin Ward may face as a result of her actions. The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of inappropriate relationships between educators and students, and the potential ramifications that can arise from such misconduct.
As the legal proceedings continue, the Ward family is likely facing a significant level of scrutiny and public backlash as a result of Erin Ward’s actions with the teenage student. The fallout from the scandal could have far-reaching consequences for both Erin and Doug Ward, impacting their careers and personal lives. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professional boundaries in educational settings and the need for appropriate consequences for those who violate the trust placed in them as educators.
