Perth Teacher Confronts Seven Child Sex Charges Amid DNA Revelation
Social media photographs once depicted Naomi Tekea Craig as a typical Perth resident celebrating life's significant moments. Images showed her beaming in a lace wedding gown beside her husband in the Yarra Valley during October 2019, and later cradling a baby during a cafe visit with friends.
These seemingly ordinary family milestones now stand in stark contrast to the serious allegations that have emerged, shattering that idealised image completely.
Escalating Legal Charges Against Educator
The 33-year-old mother, who taught at Frederick Irwin Anglican School in Meadow Springs, initially faced four serious charges in December. These included two counts of sexual penetration of a child over 13 and under 16, along with charges of possessing child exploitation material and persistent sexual conduct with a child under 16.
On Wednesday, police added three further charges to the case, bringing the total number of alleged offences to seven. The additional charges comprise another count of sexual penetration of a child over 13 and under 16, indecent dealings with a child over 13 and under 16, and indecent dealings with a child under 13.
DNA Testing Reveals Alleged Connection
The case took a particularly disturbing turn when The West Australian revealed that Ms Craig had recently given birth. According to police sources, DNA testing conducted on a sample from her placenta reportedly indicated a biological link between her newborn baby and the alleged victim.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch addressed the allegations publicly on Wednesday, describing them as "heinous" while emphasising that child sex offences become even more serious when committed by someone in a position of authority.
"We should all be shocked by any of these allegations that young people are being preyed upon in our community," Commissioner Blanch stated. "If it is by a person in a position of authority or care of another, it is even more aggravating."
School Response and Parent Notification
Frederick Irwin Anglican School, a private co-educational institution with campuses in Meadow Springs and Halls Head charging annual fees up to $9,568, has taken decisive action in response to the allegations.
The school sent a formal letter to parents and carers earlier this month confirming several key points:
- The alleged victim is no longer enrolled as a student at the school
- Ms Craig has been suspended from teaching duties pending the outcome of police investigations and any potential prosecution
- The teacher has been instructed not to attend school premises
- Available information suggests no concern for other children at the institution
According to school records, Ms Craig has been on maternity leave since December. The letter emphasised that the school's actions represent procedural steps rather than any presumption of guilt regarding the charges.
Legal Proceedings and Court Appearances
Ms Craig made her initial court appearance on December 17 at Perth Magistrates Court, just one day after police first charged her with four offences. This preliminary hearing was closed to the public, with the allegations only becoming publicly known in January.
The accused teacher is scheduled to appear next at Mandurah Magistrates Court on January 27 for an audio link hearing. The case continues to develop as legal proceedings progress through the Western Australian court system.
