ST. JOHNS — A St. Johns Middle School counselor has been arraigned on six counts of first-degree sexual assault of a student.
Kimberly Feldpausch, 54, appeared in court Thursday, the day after the sexual assault charges were filed in Clinton County.
The six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct she faces stem from an "inappropriate relationship" she had with a student at St. Johns Middle School during the 2001-2002 school year, according to a letter sent to parents by the school district.
The male student was between the ages of 13 and 16 at the time, court records show.
Feldpausch is highly regarded and has received an outpouring of support, her attorney, Mary Chartier, said during her arraignment Thursday. The allegations are from "a very troubled young man" with a history of mental health issues and there is no objective support for these claims, she added.
RELATED: St. Johns schools staffer faces 6 felony counts involving 'inappropriate relationship'
Gratiot County Judge Stewart McDonald released Feldpausch on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond, which she won't have to pay unless she fails to appear at future hearings.
Chartier told Stewart that Feldpausch is a lifelong Michigan resident, is married and has two college-aged children. While she's on leave from the school district, she is working a second job and does not have the money for a cash bond.
Stewart said in any case involving six counts of first-degree sexual assault, it's highly unlikely there wouldn't be significant bond.
"Her attorney convinced me," Stewart said. "It sounds like a rather unusual case."
St. Johns schools Superintendent Mark Palmer sent a letter to parents Wednesday, notifying them that a former student recently told police that Feldpausch "engaged in an inappropriate relationship" with him.
Feldpausch was placed on leave immediately, Palmer said. She has been a teacher in the district for five years and a counselor for 26 years.
"Situations of this nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated," the letter said. "Please be assured that we take any allegations regarding the safety of our students very seriously and immediately seek facts."
Palmer said the district would be reviewing policies about staff and student relationships to ensure students are protected.
If convicted, Feldpausch faces up to life in prison.
Anyone with additional information on the investigation can call the sheriff's department at 989-224-5200.
Contact reporter Kara Berg at 517-377-1113 or kberg@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @karaberg95.
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St. Johns Middle School counselor arraigned on 6 sex assault charges - Lansing State Journal
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