High school counselor charged with sex with student

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Arrest warrants allege three sexual encounters between Amy Saffos, 42, and a 17-year-old male student. Sheriff's investigators believe there was also fourth incident in another county. 

Special victim's unit detective Bill Hamby said at least twice, Saffos had sex with the student on the campus of Lake Norman High School.  

"A least one we think occurred in her office.  Another one was in another part of the school," Hamby said.

Hamby said the school itself had information that broke the case, though he wouldn't explain further.   He said it appears there were no student witnesses who had any knowledge of the incidents.

"He was quiet about it, she was quiet about it. Only two of them knew, and they both kept their mouths shut," Hamby said.

Sheriff's detectives said the boy was open with them about the alleged sexual relationship, that warrants claim started in early march and ended the first week of June.

Saffos was a guidance counselor at Lake Norman High since 2006.  Channel 9 was told she is married with two children under 10. They had just returned from a family trip to Walt Disney World when Saffos was arrested at her Statesville home Wednesday morning.

Iredell-Statesville Schools dismissed her last month after conducting their own investigation.

Channel 9 went by her home Wednesday afternoon, but no one came to the door.  A neighbor was not willing to go on camera, but was visibly shaken when we told her the news.

Saffos is charged with felony sexual activity with a student by school personnel other than a teacher or administrator.

She did not give any statement to sheriff's detectives, but requested a lawyer instead.

Channel 9 spoke with her lawyer, Adam Seifer of the Seifer Flatow Law Firm in Charlotte. 

He called the $175,000 bond on Saffos "ridiculously high," and said there are two sides to every story, and he's eager to defend his client.

Saffos is expected to appear in court Thursday morning.

WSOC