Watseka High agriculture teacher arrested, accused of grooming students

WATSEKA, Ill. (WAND) — A Watseka High School teacher has been arrested and charged with grooming her students.

Baylee Bushong, 23, of Hoopeston is an agriculture teacher at the school.

The Watseka Police Department was told on Tuesday, October 8 that Bushong was making inappropriate comments to the students during her teaching.

Police launched an investigation in which numerous students were interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center in Watseka.

Police said they learned that the teacher had also on a few occasions showed some of the students pornographic images.

On Thursday, October 10, Watseka Police arrested Bushong on charges of grooming and harmful material.

Bushong was transported to the Iroquois County jail, where she remains.

The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be pending, police say.

WAND News reached out to the Iroquois County School District. The district said it will not be commenting on Bushong's arrest and would not answer questions regarding her employment status.

A letter sent to parents and guardians by the district, said that an employee that was arrested has been and will remain on leave. The letter did not specifically name Bushong.