Former Winside teacher sentenced for relationship with student

WAYNE, Neb. -- A former Winside teacher will spend time in the Wayne County jail after being sentenced for misdemeanor charges related to a relationship with a student.

Rachel McPhillips, who had been facing charges of child abuse and third-degree sexual assault, pleaded no contest to amended charges in Wayne County Court in February. According to court documents, McPhillips entered her pleas to charges of disturbing the peace and attempting a class 1 misdemeanor.

McPhillips was sentenced to 90 days in jail for disturbing the peace. She received another 90 days for attempting a class 1 misdemeanor. She also received two years of probation for the latter charge.

The 29-year-old was accused of having a relationship with a student between September of 2021 and April of 2022 with a victim who was 15 at the time.

The case was initially opened after a harassment protection order was filed against her.

She initially pleaded not guilty on two charges last May. 

Another former Winside teacher, Cali Heikes, was arrested in January on charges that she had a relationship with a different teenage student. She faces three felony charges. Heikes is scheduled to appear in Wayne County Court for a preliminary hearing next week.