Chatham County teacher charged with child molestation

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -A Chatham County teacher is facing charges for improper sexual contact with a student and child molestation.

The Savannah Police Department arrested 35-year-old Paulina Walden on Friday. The arrest comes after the Board of Education Police Department contacted Savannah Police on April 24th, regarding a report of a teacher having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System says Walden is an English teacher at Jenkins High School. And she worked at the school district since September 2023.

According to Savannah Police, when school administration became aware of the allegations, the educator was reassigned to a non-school location with no student contact.

The school district says this is standard procedure when an employee in the district faces allegations of inappropriate behavior.

Because alleged contact happened off campus, SPD assumed the lead on the case.

Walden has been booked into the Chatham County Detention Center, and the investigation is ongoing.

SCCPSS released the following statement:

“The district takes any accusation of inappropriate conduct by an employee very seriously. The matter will be reported to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

No further comment can be made on the allegations as it involves a personnel matter. Further inquiries should be directed to the Savannah Police Department."

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or submit an anonymous tip through the SPD mobile app.