Former Hawkins Teacher Accused Of Statutory Rape Appears In Court

A former Surgoinsville Middle School teacher accused of statutory rape of a former student is arraigned Friday in Hawkins County. 27 year old Elisha Lyn Wilder is accused of having a sexual relationship with a former 15 year old student. Wilder was not rehired for the 2018-2019 school year for reasons not related to the statutory rape allegations. The victim was not attending the school at the time of the alleged sexual relationship. Wilder is no longer employed as a teacher.