Former Ohio teacher pleads guilty to sexual misconduct with student

Jamelah Daboubi faces just 18 months maximum for exploiting 15-year-old boy

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:06am

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Jamelah Daboubi, a 28-year-old former teacher at Horizon Science Academy in Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor after she was caught in a sexual relationship with her 15-year-old student. The court has recommended a sentence of five years of community control, continued counseling, surrender of her teaching license, and community service, despite the charges carrying a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.

Why it matters

This case highlights the concerning trend of leniency in sentencing for female teachers who sexually exploit their male students, despite research showing that such misconduct is rampant in the U.S. education system. The light sentence recommendation sends a message that some victims matter less than others and that female predators are viewed as less dangerous, which perpetuates harmful gender biases.

The details

Daboubi was caught in April 2025 when the 15-year-old boy's aunt discovered the two engaged in sexual contact in the teacher's car. Police found hundreds of phone calls and thousands of texts between Daboubi and the student over a couple of months, indicating a sustained campaign of grooming and exploitation. Daboubi was arrested and fired from her teaching position, and as part of her plea deal, she must register as a sex offender.

  • On April 2, 2025, police were called to the home of the 15-year-old student's aunt, who caught the two engaged in sexual contact.
  • Daboubi was arrested in April 2025 and was fired from her teaching position shortly after.

The players

Jamelah Daboubi

A 28-year-old former teacher at Horizon Science Academy in Columbus, Ohio, who pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor after being caught in a sexual relationship with her 15-year-old student.

Horizon Science Academy

The school where Daboubi was employed as a teacher before being fired after her arrest.

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What they’re saying

“On April 2, 2025, police were called to the home of a woman on Salado Creek Drive in Columbus, who said she caught her 15-year-old nephew and one of his 10th grade teachers engaged in sexual contact in the teacher's car.”

— Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney

What’s next

Daboubi's sentencing hearing, originally scheduled for Friday, was continued to an unnamed date, where the judge will decide whether to accept the recommended sentence of five years of community control.

The takeaway

This case highlights the troubling pattern of leniency in sentencing for female teachers who sexually exploit their male students, despite the clear power imbalance and lack of consent. The recommended sentence of community control and counseling sends a harmful message that some victims matter less than others and that female predators are viewed as less dangerous, which perpetuates harmful gender biases in the criminal justice system.