By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

Mahayla K. Benavides, a 32-year-old teacher at Stevens Elementary School in Spokane, Washington, faces severe charges for allegedly abusing a 10-year-old student.

The investigation began in February 2026 after school officials reported claims that the abuse occurred almost daily. These incidents reportedly took place during short “breaks” in a secluded side room of her classroom.

Court documents indicate the abuse began around the 2025 winter break and happened multiple times a day on some occasions.

The victim told investigators that Benavides pressured him to stay silent, warning him she would lose her job if anyone found out. She allegedly manipulated the child with promises of gifts, specifically mentioning brownies.

The Spokane Police Department’s Special Victims Unit uncovered sexually explicit videos on Benavides’ phone that reportedly depicted her with the student inside the school. Even after search warrants were served in mid-February, investigators noted that she continued attempting to contact the boy. This digital evidence has become a central component of the prosecution’s case.

Beyond digital proof, authorities conducted forensic testing on a bean bag chair in the classroom that the victim identified as a location of the abuse. This physical evidence, combined with the recovered media, supported the filing of multiple felony charges. The school district immediately terminated her employment and barred her from all campus grounds.

On March 17, 2026, Benavides appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to first-degree child rape and first-degree child molestation. Her legal team is expected to challenge the evidence as the case moves toward a formal trial. The community remains on high alert as more details regarding school safety protocols emerge.

A Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner set her bond at $750,000, citing “highly predatory” behavior and significant community safety concerns. This is an increase from earlier reports of a $500,000 bond. She remains in custody while awaiting her next scheduled court appearance.