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Lafayette teacher faces child seduction charges

Allegedly fondled 16-year-old high school student
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LAFAYETTE — A 25-year-old teacher in the Lafayette school system faces a child seduction charge after he allegedly fondled a student on school property.

According to information from the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor, a 16-year-old female student at Lafayette Jefferson High School told police that math teacher Matthew Smith put his hand up her shirt and fondled her. This was in May of last year.

Police collected DNA from the girl's clothing and sent it to the Indiana State Police lab which determined Smith's DNA was on her clothing. The test results came back just recently and led to Smith's arrest.

For the current school year, Smith was reassigned to Tecumseh Junior High. School Superintendent Les Huddle says Smith is now on paid administrative leave.

Under Indiana law, the child seduction charge is a felony.