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Former Peoria Public Schools employee arrested for alleged relationship with a minor

A police car's lights, which are on. The text "WCBU Police and Fire" are laid on top of that photo.
WCBU file photo

A former Peoria Public Schools employee was arrested after police say they discovered evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year old.

According to a press release, 20-year-old Sentiryia Haywood was arrested for child pornography, criminal sexual assault, harmful material and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Peoria Police responded to the 500 block of W. Lake on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 after a report of an inappropriate relationship between a 20-year-old female and the caller's 14-year old son.

Police say detectives found evidence of the relationship between Haywood and the 14-year-old, which was shared with Peoria Public Schools. Haywood was terminated from her position at Peoria Public Schools on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Representatives from the school district tell WCBU Haywood was employed as a bus monitor.

Peoria Public School District Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat issued the following statement:

"The active partnership between the Peoria Police Department and Peoria Public Schools enabled both parties to act swiftly and decisively to protect our students. Situations like these are why we do what we do. Whether it's installing state-of-the-art surveillance like IntelliSee or expanding our medium for anonymous reporting with Tip411, no effort is too much when it comes to student safety. Any violent act against our students and the PPS community will be met with zero tolerance and punished to the full extent of the law."

Police say they found and interviewed Haywood on Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023. Haywood was sent to the Peoria County Jail.

Collin Schopp is a reporter at WCBU. He joined the station in 2022.