Former Winside teacher has felony case bound over to district court

WAYNE, Neb. – The case against a former northeast Nebraska teacher accused of a sexual relationship with a student is heading to district court.

Cali Heikes, who previously worked as a family and consumer sciences teacher at Winside Public Schools, appeared in Wayne County Court Monday morning. Her case was bound over the district court during the hearing.

Heikes was arrested in January. The 26-year-old faces three felony charges related to an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old student.

A graduate of Winside High School and Wayne State College, Heikes is currently out on bond. In March, her bond was doubled after authorities reportedly discovered a letter written by Heikes to the alleged victim.

Wayne County Sheriff Jason Dwinell said in January that his office received a tip regarding a potential relationship between the then-25-year-old Heikes and a student.

Her court appearance comes just one week after 29-year-old Rachel McPhillips, also a former Winside teacher, was sentenced for an inappropriate relationship with a student.

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.

Heikes will next appear in court on May 3 for her felony arraignment in district court.