Key Points:

• Ohio substitute teacher Stephanie Demetrius, 44, allegedly offered a student $2,000 to murder her estranged husband.
• The plan was uncovered after the student's mother alerted police about incriminating text messages.
• Demetrius was charged with felony conspiracy and is being held on a $150,000 bond.
• The teacher's attorney claims the allegations are fabricated, while prosecutors cite troubling behavior.
• A preliminary hearing is set for April 11.

A substitute teacher in Ohio has been arrested for purportedly attempting to hire a student to murder her estranged husband, offering them $2,000 for the crime. According to records from Franklin County Municipal Court and reports from local news, ABC News revealed that Stephanie Demetrius, aged 44, approached a juvenile at the Academy for Urban Scholars in Columbus on March 26 and provided an initial payment of $250.

Authorities became aware of the alleged plot after the student's mother discovered incriminating text messages on her child's phone and promptly notified law enforcement. Court documents indicate that a police report includes a recorded phone call in which Demetrius discusses details for the murder, including her husband's work-from-home schedule and assurance that their neighbors "don’t care" about any potential gunfire.Newsweek reported that the prosecution has emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, citing Demetrius’s prior threats towards her husband, which have led him to obtain a protection order.

During a bail hearing, Demetrius' attorney denied the charges, labeling them as fabrications and asking for a more reasonable bond, citing her role as a mother of four. The presiding judge ultimately set the bond at $150,000, accompanied by conditions prohibiting Demetrius from contacting her husband or the student involved in the case, as reported by India Times.

This incident has raised alarms regarding the responsibilities of educators and the potential dangers hidden within school environments. Law enforcement officials have praised the student’s mother for taking prompt action, suggesting that greater parental oversight might be crucial in preventing similar situations in the future. Demetrius is yet to enter a plea, with her preliminary hearing scheduled for April 11.