Female teacher, 34, arrested for 'raping 10-year-old pupil'

Detectives discovered that Smith had been having inappropriate contact with the young boy since late last year. (Courtesy)

A school teacher has been charged after allegedly raping one of her 10-year-old students.

Deidre R. Smith, 34, was arrested on Tuesday after an administrator at the Lake Charles Charter Academy in Louisiana, USA, contacted police about a possible "inappropriate relationship" involving a teacher.

Officers from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office arrested Smith on charges of first-degree rape and felony indecent behaviour.

Through the tip-off, detectives discovered that Smith had been having inappropriate contact with the young boy since late last year.

Kim Myers, a spokeperson for the sheriff's office, said investigators learned Smith had allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim.

Smith was released after paying a £38,350 [$50,000] bond.

A statement said: "On April 30 the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from an administrator at Lake Charles Charter Academy regarding a teacher, Deidre R. Smith, possibly having an inappropriate relationship with one of her 10-year-old students.

"During the initial investigation detectives learned Smith was having inappropriate contact with the boy since the end of 2018. It was also learned Smith had sexual intercourse with the victim.

"Smith was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with 1st degree rape; and felony indecent behavior with a juvenile. She was released later the same day on a $50,000 bond set by Judge Robert Wyatt.

"The case is still under investigation and more charges are likely."

The Lake Charles Charter Academy released a statement saying: “We believe this was an isolated incident and no other students were involved.”

President of the school, Judge Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, said the alleged incident took place off campus.

He said: "Once the allegation was reported the school promptly took steps to contact authorities who are now conducting the investigation. The investigation is incomplete and ongoing."