By John Whipple
Special to the Pine Bluff Commercial
STAR CITY — Star City police have arrested a former Star City High School math teacher who they say admitted to having a sexual affair with one of her students, which began in the summer of 2009.
The former teacher, Brandi Lynn Mullikin, 29, of Star City, faces charges of second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony, which is punishable by five to 20 years in prison.
Mullikin was taken to the Dumas jail because the Lincoln County jail does not hold female prisoners.
The former teacher is scheduled for a probable cause hearing Wednesday before Star City District Judge Vic Harper.
According to a report by Lt. Kevin Kirk, who investigated the case with Police Chief Steve Young, police were called to the office of Superintendent Rhonda Mullikin (no relation) April 1 in reference to “inappropriate behavior” between the student, a senior, 18, and Brandi Mullikin.
Superintendent Mullikin and Assistant Superintendent Sandra Lanehart told authorities that Brandi Mullikin was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Brandi Mullikin has since been fired.
Kirk interviewed Brandi Mullikin at the police station April 2, and “Mullikin admitted to having a sexual relationship with (the student), but Mullikin claimed it was outside the school and that she had only engaged in sexual activity with (the student) after he turned 18,” according to police reports.
Kirk interviewed Brandi Mullikin at the police station April 2, and “Mullikin admitted to having a sexual relationship with (the student), but Mullikin claimed it was outside the school and that she had only engaged in sexual activity with (the student) after he turned 18,” according to police reports.
“Mullikin admitted that (the student) stayed overnight at her house several times, including school nights,” Kirk’s report stated. “Mullikin also stated that (the student’s) mother, … was aware of the relationship the entire time.”
Kirk later interviewed the student, who also admitted to having a sexual relationship with Mullikin. He stated that he met Mullikin when she was tutoring him.
“(The student) first claimed that the sexual relationship started after he was 18, but after further investigation, (the student) admitted that he had visited Mullikin when she was staying at the [former] Super 8 Motel in Star City in June of last year, and that is when they began their sexual relationship,” said Kirk.
The student turned 18 in October 2009.
Kirk then interviewed Mullikin again April 2, and she admitted to having a sexual relationship with the student when he was 17 and she was aware of his age.
