Spokane Teacher Arrested For Sex Crimes Against A Child

~ Spokane police officers responded to a call from a local school on February 12, 2026, regarding a possible sex crime. The principal of the school reported that a family member of one of the students had disclosed statements made by the child about potential sexual acts with an adult female teacher.

Upon arrival, officers gathered statements and evidence that supported the allegations. As a result, the Special Victims Unit (SVU) was called in to take over the investigation.

Over the course of the past month, SVU worked tirelessly to gather evidence and solidify their case. As a result, they were able to obtain probable cause for the arrest of 32-year-old Mahayla Benavides on charges of Rape of a Child in the First Degree and Child Molestation in the First Degree. According to Washington state law, Rape of a Child in the First Degree occurs when someone engages in sexual intercourse with a person under twelve years old and is at least twenty-four months older than the victim.

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The Spokane School District 81 took swift action upon learning about these allegations. They promptly separated Benavides from the child and restricted her access to school premises before contacting law enforcement. The district's cooperation and quick response played a crucial role in this investigation and helped prevent any further harm.

Officer T. Leming, PIO for Spokane Police Department, commended both his fellow officers and SVU for their dedication and hard work on this case. He also praised Spokane School District 81 for their swift actions in protecting their students' safety. Benavides is currently being held without bail at Spokane County Jail pending further legal proceedings.

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