ANDERSON, S.C. – Nicole Ballew Callaham, a 33-year-old former teacher, has been arrested and charged with grooming a teenager over a period of two years, authorities say. Callaham, who is currently pregnant and has a child at home, is facing serious allegations in South Carolina involving criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Callaham allegedly began the inappropriate relationship in 2021 when the boy was in his early teens. Over time, she reportedly groomed the student by signing him out of school, driving him to practices, and supervising after-school activities—behaviors officials describe as part of the grooming pattern.
The teenager came forward to police shortly after his 18th birthday, having spent years processing the trauma. Callaham surrendered to law enforcement on Thursday after a thorough investigation that began in May.
She now faces three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Anderson County.
Meanwhile, the Greenville City Police Department has also filed separate charges against Callaham related to alleged misconduct with the same boy while he attended school there. Those charges include eight counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.
Court documents allege that Callaham provided the teenager with marijuana, nicotine, and alcohol throughout the two-year period.
Before the charges were formally filed, Callaham resigned from her position at Homeland Park Elementary School.
During her recent bond hearing, a detective read a letter from the teen’s mother expressing her anger and sorrow, stating that Callaham “saw our son’s innocence and that he was very easily manipulated.”
Callaham’s defense attorney said she has cooperated with investigators and they “look forward to a day in court.” The judge set her bond at $40,000 and ordered her to have no contact with the victim’s family.
This case follows other disturbing teacher abuse stories, including Christina Formella, a 30-year-old teacher who faces separate charges for allegedly raping a 15-year-old student multiple times.
