In a courtroom in New South Wales, an Australian high school teacher conceded to charges of sexual misconduct involving a teenage boy near Newcastle. This poignant case has drawn attention following recent reports.

Karly Rae, aged 37, who recently became a mother just eight weeks ago, admitted to a series of serious offenses. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Rae confessed to engaging in sexual acts with a 15-year-old boy in October 2024. Her charges also include possessing child abuse material, grooming the minor for illegal sexual activity, and attempting to obstruct the course of justice.

Initially, Rae had denied these allegations when they were brought against her in May. However, last month she reversed her stance, opting to plead guilty.

In advocating for her, Rae’s attorney, Mark Ramsland, appealed to the court for an expedited hearing, citing her recent motherhood and the presence of her infant during the court proceedings.

This case highlights the complex and distressing nature of such criminal activities, underscoring the ongoing societal challenges in protecting minors. Rae’s admission of guilt marks a significant turn in this troubling legal saga, as reported by ABC.

Court documents obtained by the station reportedly show Rae and the 15-year-old communicated on social media and that the crimes she was accused of committing occurred in the suburbs of Bolton Point, Merewether and Belmont.

Police evidence presented in court included messages between Rae and the teenager on platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram.

“Hey, sorry for removing you on Snap,” Rae reportedly told the teenager. “I found it too tempting for now.”

Court documents obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reportedly show Rae and the 15-year-old communicated on social media. (iStock ; Karly Rae – Facebook Page)

A few messages later, the boy asked Rae, “Should we remove each other now?”

“It’s my fault,” she responded. “I take full responsibility. Do what you want/need.”

In another message reported by the station, Rae suggested to the boy that they meet one more time.

New South Wales teacher Karly Rae pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy last month. (iStock)

“Maybe we could have one last rendezvous before school goes back,” she reportedly wrote. “I’ll bring my toy.”

The teenager’s cousin allegedly saw the messages between the two on Instagram, told his parents and the parents reported the matter to police, the station reported.

When police arrested Rae, court documents alleged that she told law enforcement she was unaware of the teenager’s age.

“I thought he was of age… and leaving school,” she reportedly said.

According to ABC, Rae was granted Supreme Court bail in June after telling the court she was pregnant, though an earlier application had been refused.

She had been scheduled to stand trial in August 2025, but those dates have since been vacated.

Judge Roy Ellis has allocated two and a half hours for a sentencing hearing set for March 25 and ordered that a sentencing assessment report be prepared beforehand.

Ramsland said there would be “a lot of subjective material” included in the submissions.

Police facts cited by ABC noted that a professional learning transcript from the NSW Department of Education “indicated Rae had completed child protection training in February 2024.”

She remains on bail while awaiting sentencing.