LAFAYETTE PARISH, LA - A teacher who was named "teacher of the year" a few months ago has now been accused of sexually abusing a student.
The teacher, identified as 38-year-old Christie Oster, was arrested on Wednesday, January 28, and has been charged with indecent behavior with juveniles and carnal knowledge of a juvenile, local outlet KLFY reported. Police said that Oster allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a former student.
Carnal knowledge of a juvenile is defined as a person who is older than 17 having sexual intercourse with someone who is between 13 and 17 years old, and their age difference is more than four years, PEOPLE reported.
Oster, an eighth-grade teacher at Broussard Middle School in Lafayette, was selected as the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year in September 2025. "Congratulations to our 2025-2026 BMS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Christie Oster," the school wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post.
"At BMS, we are proud of ALL of our amazing teachers and staff who give so much every day to our students. These two educators have gone above and beyond, and we are so lucky to have their dedication, hard work, and passion as part of our school family," the post said.
A spokesperson for the Lafayette Parish School District said that Oster has been placed in leave following her recent arrest. The Lafayette Police Department (LPD) is still investigating the matter. Oster is being held in Lafayette Parish Jail on a $50,000 bond. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The teacher, identified as 38-year-old Christie Oster, was arrested on Wednesday, January 28, and has been charged with indecent behavior with juveniles and carnal knowledge of a juvenile, local outlet KLFY reported. Police said that Oster allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a former student.
Carnal knowledge of a juvenile is defined as a person who is older than 17 having sexual intercourse with someone who is between 13 and 17 years old, and their age difference is more than four years, PEOPLE reported.
Oster, an eighth-grade teacher at Broussard Middle School in Lafayette, was selected as the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year in September 2025. "Congratulations to our 2025-2026 BMS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Christie Oster," the school wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post.
"At BMS, we are proud of ALL of our amazing teachers and staff who give so much every day to our students. These two educators have gone above and beyond, and we are so lucky to have their dedication, hard work, and passion as part of our school family," the post said.
A spokesperson for the Lafayette Parish School District said that Oster has been placed in leave following her recent arrest. The Lafayette Police Department (LPD) is still investigating the matter. Oster is being held in Lafayette Parish Jail on a $50,000 bond. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
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