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A former Columbus high school teacher has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 15-year-old student following an alleged months-long relationship that included thousands of text messages and repeated acts of sexual contact.
Jamelah Daboubi, 28, a former teacher at Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School. Daboubi entered her guilty plea in Franklin County Common Pleas Court to charges of gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
The alleged relationship came to light in April 2025, when the victim's aunt went looking for her 15-year-old nephew and noticed Daboubi's car parked outside her home. When the aunt approached the vehicle, she allegedly witnessed Daboubi jump off the student's lap, prompting her to immediately contact police.
The alleged victim, a 10th-grade student at Horizon Science Academy, told police that he and Daboubi had been in a relationship for several months, during which time they engaged in kissing, touching, and an extensive exchange of text messages.
Investigators recovered a significant volume of communications from the alleged victim's phone, including thousands of text messages exchanged between him and Daboubi over the course of the alleged relationship. Among those messages were exchanges in which the two allegedly declared their love for one another, according to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office.
Daboubi was fired from her teaching position at Horizon Science Academy shortly after her arrest.
Daboubi was originally charged with two counts of sexual battery following her arrest. Those charges were later amended by prosecutors. She ultimately pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
The court has recommended a sentence of five years of community control, continued counseling, surrender of her teaching license, and community service. The charges she pleaded guilty to carried a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.
The factual information above was sourced from nypost.com as of May 21, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a school employee is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor student, families are often unaware that the criminal process is just one avenue for accountability. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Ohio sexual abuse attorney John Bey, Esq., about the civil legal options that may be available to families in cases involving alleged teacher sexual misconduct.
Paul Amess: John, in cases where a teacher is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor student, what civil options may families have beyond the criminal courts?
John Bey, Esq.: Cases of alleged sexual misconduct by a teacher against a student can give rise to significant civil claims. Families may have grounds to pursue action not only against the individual accused, but also against the school or school district. When an institution employs someone in a position of authority over children, it carries a responsibility to screen, supervise, and respond appropriately to warning signs. A failure at any of those levels can expose the institution to civil liability.
Paul Amess: In cases where the alleged abuse involved extensive private communications between a teacher and student — text messages, phone calls — does that factor into the civil side of things?
John Bey, Esq.: It absolutely can. A documented pattern of private communication between an adult educator and a minor student is exactly the kind of evidence that civil cases often rely on. It can help establish the duration and nature of the alleged relationship and may raise questions about whether school administration had any opportunity to identify concerning behavior before the abuse allegedly occurred.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a family whose child may have been in a similar situation with a teacher or school employee in Ohio?
John Bey, Esq.: My message is simple — please do not wait. Ohio law provides civil remedies for victims of sexual misconduct, but time limits do apply. Speaking with an experienced attorney as early as possible gives families the clearest picture of their rights and the strongest foundation for any potential legal action. No family should have to navigate this alone.
If your child was allegedly subjected to sexual misconduct by a teacher, coach, or any school employee in Ohio, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Ohio sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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