Topline: Authorities say a Jefferson County Public Schools teacher used electronic communication to engage in inappropriate sexual conversations with a child under the age of 12.
Published: December 29, 2025 1:59 pm ET
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Sydne Graf (via Louisville Metro Department of Corrections)
LOUISVILLE, KY — A Kentucky math teacher is now headed to a grand jury after police say she crossed a criminal line during a virtual learning day, turning what should have been routine online instruction into an alleged sexual exchange with a child.
According to WLKY, 36-year-old Sydne Graf is accused of having an explicit electronic conversation with a fifth-grade student who was under the age of 12 during a Non-Traditional Instruction day on Dec. 15.
Police allege the exchange included discussions of oral sex, a detail also documented in arrest records reviewed by WHAS.
The case began when Jefferson County Public Schools police contacted Louisville Metro Police about the reported exploitation of a student, according to WHAS. Investigators reviewed screenshots and video recordings of the messages between Graf and the boy, which police say showed sexual conversations taking place during the school day.
Authorities say the situation escalated beyond online messages. According to WLKY and WHAS, Graf made plans to meet the student in person and was arrested while picking him up near his home. Her arrest slip states she admitted to having the explicit conversations after being advised of her rights, a point confirmed by WDRB.
Graf, who taught fifth-grade math at Smyrna Elementary School, has been charged with procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means, a felony under Kentucky law, according to WLKY and WDRB. WHAS reports the charge is also described in court documents as unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
In addition to the sex-related charge, WHAS reports Graf is facing separate drug charges, including second-degree possession of a controlled substance and first-degree possession of a controlled substance, hydrocodone. According to her citation, officers searching her vehicle found a pill container inside her purse holding what investigators believed to be hydrocodone and Adderall.
JCPS confirmed Graf’s employment status and response to the allegations. According to WLKY, district officials said she has been reassigned to a position that does not allow contact with students while the investigation continues. WHAS reports Smyrna Elementary Principal Amanda Cooper sent a letter to parents stating the move was made in accordance with district protocol during a criminal investigation.
In court, Graf entered a not-guilty plea Friday morning, according to WDRB. A judge set her bond at $100,000 and ordered her to have no contact with the alleged victim and to refrain from using social media, WLKY reported. She later posted bond and is currently on house arrest.
Although Graf was scheduled to appear in court earlier this week, WLKY reports the case was waived to a grand jury. Her next court date is set for Jan. 26, where prosecutors are expected to seek an indictment as the case moves forward.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Kentucky Math Teacher Charged After Alleged Online Sexual Exchanges With Student
Authorities say a Jefferson County Public Schools teacher used electronic communication to engage in inappropriate sexual conversations with a child under the age of 12.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 29, 2025 1:59 pm ET
Sydne Graf (via Louisville Metro Department of Corrections)
LOUISVILLE, KY — A Kentucky math teacher is now headed to a grand jury after police say she crossed a criminal line during a virtual learning day, turning what should have been routine online instruction into an alleged sexual exchange with a child.
According to WLKY, 36-year-old Sydne Graf is accused of having an explicit electronic conversation with a fifth-grade student who was under the age of 12 during a Non-Traditional Instruction day on Dec. 15.
Police allege the exchange included discussions of oral sex, a detail also documented in arrest records reviewed by WHAS.
The case began when Jefferson County Public Schools police contacted Louisville Metro Police about the reported exploitation of a student, according to WHAS. Investigators reviewed screenshots and video recordings of the messages between Graf and the boy, which police say showed sexual conversations taking place during the school day.
Authorities say the situation escalated beyond online messages. According to WLKY and WHAS, Graf made plans to meet the student in person and was arrested while picking him up near his home. Her arrest slip states she admitted to having the explicit conversations after being advised of her rights, a point confirmed by WDRB.
Graf, who taught fifth-grade math at Smyrna Elementary School, has been charged with procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means, a felony under Kentucky law, according to WLKY and WDRB. WHAS reports the charge is also described in court documents as unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
In addition to the sex-related charge, WHAS reports Graf is facing separate drug charges, including second-degree possession of a controlled substance and first-degree possession of a controlled substance, hydrocodone. According to her citation, officers searching her vehicle found a pill container inside her purse holding what investigators believed to be hydrocodone and Adderall.
JCPS confirmed Graf’s employment status and response to the allegations. According to WLKY, district officials said she has been reassigned to a position that does not allow contact with students while the investigation continues. WHAS reports Smyrna Elementary Principal Amanda Cooper sent a letter to parents stating the move was made in accordance with district protocol during a criminal investigation.
In court, Graf entered a not-guilty plea Friday morning, according to WDRB. A judge set her bond at $100,000 and ordered her to have no contact with the alleged victim and to refrain from using social media, WLKY reported. She later posted bond and is currently on house arrest.
Although Graf was scheduled to appear in court earlier this week, WLKY reports the case was waived to a grand jury. Her next court date is set for Jan. 26, where prosecutors are expected to seek an indictment as the case moves forward.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Kentucky Math Teacher Charged After Alleged Online Sexual Exchanges With Student
Authorities say a Jefferson County Public Schools teacher used electronic communication to engage in inappropriate sexual conversations with a child under the age of 12.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 29, 2025 1:59 pm ET
Sydne Graf (via Louisville Metro Department of Corrections)
LOUISVILLE, KY — A Kentucky math teacher is now headed to a grand jury after police say she crossed a criminal line during a virtual learning day, turning what should have been routine online instruction into an alleged sexual exchange with a child.
According to WLKY, 36-year-old Sydne Graf is accused of having an explicit electronic conversation with a fifth-grade student who was under the age of 12 during a Non-Traditional Instruction day on Dec. 15.
Police allege the exchange included discussions of oral sex, a detail also documented in arrest records reviewed by WHAS.
The case began when Jefferson County Public Schools police contacted Louisville Metro Police about the reported exploitation of a student, according to WHAS. Investigators reviewed screenshots and video recordings of the messages between Graf and the boy, which police say showed sexual conversations taking place during the school day.
Authorities say the situation escalated beyond online messages. According to WLKY and WHAS, Graf made plans to meet the student in person and was arrested while picking him up near his home. Her arrest slip states she admitted to having the explicit conversations after being advised of her rights, a point confirmed by WDRB.
Graf, who taught fifth-grade math at Smyrna Elementary School, has been charged with procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means, a felony under Kentucky law, according to WLKY and WDRB. WHAS reports the charge is also described in court documents as unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
In addition to the sex-related charge, WHAS reports Graf is facing separate drug charges, including second-degree possession of a controlled substance and first-degree possession of a controlled substance, hydrocodone. According to her citation, officers searching her vehicle found a pill container inside her purse holding what investigators believed to be hydrocodone and Adderall.
JCPS confirmed Graf’s employment status and response to the allegations. According to WLKY, district officials said she has been reassigned to a position that does not allow contact with students while the investigation continues. WHAS reports Smyrna Elementary Principal Amanda Cooper sent a letter to parents stating the move was made in accordance with district protocol during a criminal investigation.
In court, Graf entered a not-guilty plea Friday morning, according to WDRB. A judge set her bond at $100,000 and ordered her to have no contact with the alleged victim and to refrain from using social media, WLKY reported. She later posted bond and is currently on house arrest.
Although Graf was scheduled to appear in court earlier this week, WLKY reports the case was waived to a grand jury. Her next court date is set for Jan. 26, where prosecutors are expected to seek an indictment as the case moves forward.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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