A 25-year-old former US teacher has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 16-year-old student from a neighbouring school. The case came to light after her husband informed police about the alleged relationship.

A 25-year-old former elementary school teacher in the United States has pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old boy, bringing a high-profile case to a partial close while avoiding a trial.

Mackenzie Naught, who had recently started working as a first-grade teacher at St John Elementary School, was accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with the teenager, who attended a neighbouring high school. Investigators alleged that one of the encounters took place inside the boy's truck after she persuaded him to meet at a secluded location.

The investigation was launched after Naught's husband, an assistant track coach at the teenager's school, informed police about the alleged relationship. Authorities said he later handed over screenshots from Naught's mobile phone that supported the allegations after she initially admitted the relationship to him but denied having sexual contact with the minor during police questioning.

According to investigators, the teenager stated that Naught initiated contact by flirting with him and sending late-night messages while her husband was asleep. He claimed he was hesitant at first but later agreed to meet her. The boy also alleged that Naught urged him to remain silent, fearing she would lose her teaching job.