An Alexander High School science teacher is behind bars after her arrest Friday on two counts of sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority, according to Douglas County officials. The teacher, identified as Maris Nichols, was booked into the Douglas County Jail after the district placed her on administrative leave earlier in the week. District leaders say they are cooperating with investigators as authorities dig into the allegations.
Jail records cited by FOX 5 Atlanta show Nichols faces two counts tied to alleged sexual assault by someone in a position of supervisory or disciplinary authority. That report notes the arrest followed a district announcement that a female employee had been put on leave amid an internal and law enforcement investigation. FOX 5 also reported it has requested a copy of the arrest warrant to learn more about the specific claims involved.
Alexander High And District Response
The Douglas County School System’s Alexander High staff directory lists Maris Nichols as a science teacher. In a statement provided to FOX 5 Atlanta, district officials called the conduct under investigation “an unacceptable violation of professional standards” and said they are working with state and local law enforcement. The district placed Nichols on administrative leave while the criminal investigation plays out.
What The Charge Means
Under Georgia law, the type of offense reported in this case falls under statutes that address sexual assault or improper sexual contact by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority over another person. The statute specifies that consent is not a defense to this charge, and penalties can vary by the circumstances, including the ages involved and the severity of the conduct. For the specific legal language, see Georgia Code § 16-6-5.1.
What’s Next
Nichols remains in custody, and any initial court appearance or future hearings will move through the Douglas County court system, although specific dates have not yet been posted publicly. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office maintains online jail and booking information, along with a tip line for anyone who may have information relevant to the case. The Douglas County School System says it will continue cooperating with investigators as the case proceeds.
