Newport teacher Amber Swain arrested on incest, sexual‑misconduct charges involving two adopted teen sons
Amber N. Swain, 35, a teacher and director at Newport’s Pend Oreille River School, was arrested and charged with first‑ and second‑degree incest and first‑degree sexual misconduct involving two adopted teenage sons; the district placed her on administrative leave.
Key takeaways
- Charges: First‑ and second‑degree incest; first‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor.
- Victims: Two adopted male teens (were 17 and 18 when alleged abuse began).
- Investigation: Began after a DCYF referral on May 18 and review of text messages.
- Bail & release: Bail set at $20,000; Swain posted bail and released under no‑contact conditions.
Details of the case
Who is Amber Swain and where did she work?
Amber N. Swain, 35, worked as a teacher and the director of Pend Oreille River School, the Newport School District’s alternative high school. The district placed her on administrative leave and said it is cooperating with law enforcement and “takes these matters very seriously.” Source reporting is available from KHQ.
How the investigation began
The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office says the probe began on May 18, when Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) referred possible sexual abuse involving two teenage boys to local law enforcement. Investigators reviewed text messages between Swain and one of the teens, which prompted a criminal investigation. Detectives completed forensic interviews with both teens and later interviewed Swain. Reporting also appears in the Bonner County Daily Bee.
Allegations from the older teen
According to court documents and local reporting, one teen said a sexual relationship with Swain began in December when he was 17 and that they had sex “plenty of times,” including as recently as two days before his forensic interview. That account supports a charge of first‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor, which can apply when a person in a position of trust has sex with someone aged 16–17.
Allegations from the younger teen
The second teen told detectives that in May he and Swain were in bed together and he touched her multiple times; he said Swain stopped the contact before it “escalated further.” Swain reportedly acknowledged the teen put his hands on her multiple times and said she pushed him away.
Swain’s statements to investigators
When first interviewed, Swain initially denied sexual contact with one of the teens, then later admitted to having a sexual relationship with one of the boys, saying it happened in February after he turned 18. Swain reportedly told investigators, I could have my timeline messed up
, indicating uncertainty about dates. Investigators say her admission, together with text messages and the teens’ interviews, provided probable cause for arrest. Local video reporting is available via the YouTube report.
Charges filed and legal context
Swain is charged with first‑degree incest, second‑degree incest and first‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor. Under Washington law, incest charges can apply to sexual contact between an adoptive parent and adopted child. First‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor may apply when an adult in a position of trust has sex with someone aged 16–17. If convicted on current counts, reporting indicates Swain could face up to about 20 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.
Court proceedings, bail and alleged contact from jail
After detectives determined probable cause, Swain was booked into the Pend Oreille County Jail. Prosecuting Attorney Dolly Hunt asked a judge for $50,000 bail and requested that Swain be barred from contacting the victims, citing public‑safety concerns and reports she reached out to one teen from jail. Her public defender, Brett Billingsley, argued for release, noting no prior criminal record and offering living‑separation as a safety measure. The judge set bail at $20,000; Swain posted bail and was released under conditions barring contact with anyone under 18 and specifically with the two teen victims.
School district and law‑enforcement responses
The Newport School District confirmed Swain’s role at Pend Oreille River School and placed her on administrative leave while cooperating with investigators. The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and stated detectives interviewed both teens and Swain before seeking charges. Both agencies emphasized they are treating the allegations seriously and continuing the investigation.
Procedural status
The case has been moved to Pend Oreille County Superior Court. An arraignment was scheduled and, as of the latest reporting, Swain remains formally charged with first‑degree incest, second‑degree incest and first‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor. No trial date or plea has been publicly reported.
Implications for Redding, California
- Public safety and trust: Allegations of sexual abuse by an educator and adoptive parent undermine community trust; parents and leaders may push for stricter vetting and reporting.
- School policy and oversight: Districts — including those in Shasta County — might review policies for alternative and small‑school settings to ensure oversight of director roles and enhanced training on boundaries and reporting.
- Child welfare coordination: This case began with a DCYF referral; local agencies should confirm clear reporting pathways and rapid coordination with law enforcement to protect children and preserve evidence.
- Political and legal fallout: The case could intensify calls for tougher consequences for educators who violate trust and for transparency from districts on staff discipline.
- Practical steps for families: Parents should review district communications, ask about staff screening and reporting procedures, and advocate for support services for victims and families while criminal proceedings continue.
Reporting note & sources
This article is based on court filings and reporting from local media and law enforcement statements. Primary reporting and video sources include KHQ, the Bonner County Daily Bee and a local video report. The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office, Newport School District and publicly available court records informed the facts in this piece.
