A former South Carolina educator is facing serious allegations that she pursued an inappropriate and extended sexual relationship with a teenage student beginning when he was just 14 years old.

Nicole Ballew Callaham, 33, was arrested on July 10 and faces multiple charges across jurisdictions after law enforcement discovered she had engaged in a covert sexual relationship with a male student that lasted at least two years, beginning in 2021, as People reports.

Callaham, who previously taught in Anderson County, South Carolina, turned herself in to authorities on Thursday morning, according to officials. Her arrest follows a months-long investigation led by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) into conduct spanning both Anderson and Greenville counties. She has since resigned from her role as an educator.

The ACSO investigation began in May 2025 following a tip and escalated after determining that Callaham had formed a relationship with the boy while he was still in his early teens. Authorities stated her actions met the legal criteria for grooming, an unsettling tactic where perpetrators build emotional connections with minors to prepare them for manipulation and abuse.

Detectives uncovered that as the relationship progressed, Callaham began exercising increasing control over the young victim’s daily life. This included signing him out of school, giving him rides to extracurricular activities, and taking on a supervisory role in after-school programs. These repeated interactions appeared to be part of an escalating pattern of abuse.

Alleged misconduct extended across multiple cities

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office ultimately charged Callaham with three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Meanwhile, the Greenville Police Department (GPD) filed additional charges after determining some of the alleged crimes occurred within city limits.

Greenville detectives charged Callaham with eight counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. The GPD said arrest warrants were obtained based on evidence showing multiple offenses happened in their jurisdiction. A Facebook post from the department confirmed that Callaham would be transferred to the Greenville County Detention Center following arraignment on the Anderson County charges.

Authorities from both counties stated that evidence had been collected through search warrants and supported by cooperation with the victim’s family. This corroborated a timeline dating back to 2021, with alleged contact continuing well beyond what could be viewed as professional or appropriate.

Victim steps forward at age 18

According to the ACSO, the victim, now a legal adult, recently made the difficult decision to share his story. Investigators confirmed he came forward shortly after turning 18, expressing a need to face the trauma and begin healing from the prolonged relationship he endured with his former teacher.

The Anderson School District Five has been made aware of the investigation and charges, although district officials declined to comment during the early stages of the legal process. The Greenville Police Department also stated they had no further updates to share at the time of reporting. A parallel investigation is now underway by the Clemson City Police Department, though no further details on that probe have been released. Together, the actions across multiple jurisdictions highlight the scale and seriousness of the case.

Ongoing probe aims to uncover full impact

Officials emphasized that the investigation is far from over, with law enforcement still pursuing additional leads and continuing to work with the victim’s family. Authorities are also reviewing communications and school records to fully account for how the misconduct remained concealed over several years.

As part of her arrest, Callaham is expected to face both sets of charges in court. While her arraignment for the offenses in Anderson County has already taken place, her next legal step will be in Greenville County, where she’ll be housed at the detention center pending further proceedings.

Meanwhile, both investigators and community members are grappling with how a trusted educator allegedly used her position to exploit a vulnerable child. Comments from law enforcement have underlined the emotional and psychological aftermath resulting from the extended abuse.

Lessons to learn

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and transparency in institutions tasked with the care and mentoring of children. Abuse may begin subtly, and recognizing warning signs can protect vulnerable individuals from extended harm.

1. Recognizing grooming behavior is critical. Subtle gestures -- such as giving gifts, excessive attention, or out-of-school contact -- can breach boundaries and lead to more serious abuse. Parents, teachers, and administrators must monitor mentorship interactions closely, especially when dealing with minors.

2. Victims may take years to speak out. In this case, the individual only came forward after reaching adulthood. It’s essential to create environments where survivors feel supported and believed, even if time has passed.

3. Keep communication open and detailed. Families and schools should maintain clear boundaries regarding who transports, supervises, or spends time with students outside classroom hours. While not all crimes can be prevented, creating accountability makes it harder for abuses of power to go unnoticed.

Why this story matters

This story serves as a deeply unsettling reminder of the responsibility adults hold when working with children. Schools are meant to be places of safety and growth, and any betrayal of that trust affects entire communities.

The accused's position as a trusted educator compounds the public response and raises crucial questions about oversight, training, and prevention protocols within school systems. The repeated nature of the allegations highlights the need for stronger safeguards.

Understanding how this happened can help implement better protective measures in education and youth programs going forward, as awareness is often the first step toward prevention.