An Ohio high school teacher named Stephanie Demetrius found herself in a heap of trouble after a shocking accusation came to light. She’s been accused of trying to hire a student to kill her soon-to-be ex-husband. The whole thing was discovered thanks to the quick actions of the student’s mother, who tipped off the authorities.
Demetrius, who’s 44 years old, was taken into custody on April 1. She’s facing a serious charge of first-degree felony conspiracy to commit murder. If she’s found guilty, she could be looking at a life sentence, according to Ohio state law.
The story took a darker turn when it was revealed that Demetrius allegedly attacked her estranged husband with scissors. This reportedly happened while one of their children was at home, adding to the severity of the situation. Demetrius held a valid substitute teaching license for pre-K through 12th-grade students, as confirmed by the Ohio State Board of Education.
While working at the Academy for Urban Scholars High School in Columbus, Demetrius allegedly approached a student on March 26 with a sinister offer. According to an affidavit, she tried to hire the student to kill her husband for $2,000. She even gave the student a $250 down payment, court documents reportedly show.
Authorities were able to gather digital evidence, including a recorded phone call between Demetrius and the student. During this call, she allegedly reassured the student that the rest of the payment was on its way. She also reportedly shared details about her husband’s work-from-home schedule and when their children would be out of the house.
The student seemed concerned about potential noise from gunfire, but Demetrius allegedly brushed off these concerns, saying she didn’t care about the neighbors. Sgt. James Fuqua from the Columbus Division of Police stated, “This particular teacher was attempting to groom this young person into committing murder.” The student’s mother played a crucial role in bringing this plot to light.
Fuqua praised the mother for alerting officials after finding incriminating evidence on her child’s phone. “Without their help, some of this may not have come completely to light,” he noted. This parental intervention was vital in capturing specific details that led to the authorities being notified.
Franklin County Domestic Relations Court records indicate that Demetrius had filed for divorce from her husband in April 2024. This wasn’t her first attempt, as she had previously filed for divorce in September 2017, though that case was later closed. Prosecutor Parker Schwartz highlighted Demetrius’ “possessive and controlling behavior” and previous threats against her husband.
In July 2024, her husband sought emergency custody of their children, citing concerns for their safety. He accused Demetrius of violating a restraining order, breaking into his home, and stealing his belongings. Allegations against her included using scissors to “stab” him and engaging in various destructive acts.
He claimed Demetrius set fire to the basement, stole furnace parts during freezing weather, and caused damage to their property. The husband expressed grave concerns over the safety of their children due to her actions. Court records show the couple has been married since 2004.
Demetrius’ public defender has denied the charges, asserting that the accusations are “fabricated.” The student involved in the case remains unnamed and is not facing any criminal charges. The Academy for Urban Scholars High School swiftly terminated Demetrius’ employment upon learning of the situation.
A school spokesperson confirmed, “As soon as we became aware of the situation, immediate action was taken to terminate her employment.” The school has been cooperating fully with authorities and remains committed to its mission and values. Demetrius was released on a $150,000 cash surety bond.
As part of her release conditions, Demetrius is prohibited from contacting her husband and the minor involved. A preliminary hearing for the case has been scheduled for April 11. This shocking case has garnered significant attention and raised questions about safety and trust in educational settings.
