Jenkins High teacher granted $15k bond in child molestation, improper sexual contact case

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - A Savannah teacher facing charges of child molestation and improper sexual contact with a student has been granted a $15,000 bond with an ankle monitor and multiple other significant conditions.

Bond was granted Friday over prosecutors’ objections in a case involving allegations of sexual contact with an 18-year-old student, all while her young child was present.

Chatham County Recorder’s Court Chief Judge Joe Huffman set bond at $15,000 for Paulina Walden, 35, who faces charges of criminal improper sexual conduct by an employer or agent in the first degree and child molestation.

Walden’s bond had previously been denied due to concerns she posed a significant risk to the alleged victim and the community.

Initial Arrest

Walden was arrested after the Board of Education Police Department contacted Savannah Police on April 24, 2026, regarding a report of a teacher having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System says Walden is an English teacher at Jenkins High School. She has worked in the school district since September 2023. According to Savannah Police, when school administration became aware of the allegations, the educator was reassigned to a non-school location with no student contact.

It was referenced Friday in court that she technically is still employed by the school district.

Allegations involve incident in vehicle

According to testimony from Detective Jason Zimmerman of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department Special Victims Unit, the alleged incident occurred Nov. 21, 2025, in a pickup truck. Prosecutors said Walden’s four-year-old child was in the back seat at the time of the alleged sexual contact with the student, who was 18 and has since graduated.

The child molestation charge stems from the child allegedly witnessing the conduct.

Assistant District Attorney presented evidence including poems recovered from Walden’s cell phone, photos of the vehicle in a parking lot where Walden said the incident took place, and possible DNA evidence being analyzed by the GBI crime lab.

One poem, described as graphic by prosecutors, was allegedly written the day after the incident and sent to the student in December.

Defense disputes allegations

Defense attorney Turner argued the student initiated the contact and that Walden was not a willing participant. He said Walden was giving the student a ride home at his request.

Turner said Walden has been an educator in the community for many years and has no criminal history. He said she remained employed by the school district in a position away from children following the allegations.

Turner proposed strict bond conditions including house arrest and an ankle monitor.

Judge sets multiple conditions

Huffman granted bond with extensive conditions over the state’s objection. Walden must wear an ankle monitor until further order of the court, complete a mental health evaluation and parenting class, and comply with a Division of Family and Children Services case plan.

She is banned from her residence at 1800 East 38th Street and placed under house arrest at an alternate address. She is prohibited from contact with her five-year-old child pending completion of the mental health evaluation, parenting class and DFCS approval.

Walden is also banned from any contact with the 18-year-old alleged victim, including through social media, and from contact with anyone under 18 years old.

The state opposed bond, citing lack of cooperation from Walden’s husband regarding a DFCS plan for the child and the need for a mental health evaluation. The mother of the 18-year-old alleged victim also opposed bond, according to prosecutors.

Walden’s husband was present in court and in support of granting her bond. The case has been waived to superior court for grand jury consideration.