A 22-year-old special education teacher at North High School appeared teary-eyed in her police mugshot following her arrest on charges of sexually assaulting multiple students, according to authorities and court records.
Nadia M. Horn, who also co-taught World Studies, was taken into custody on March 25, 2026, after school administrators alerted the resource officer to a potential inappropriate relationship between a staff member and a student. A graduate of the same high school and UW-Eau Claire, Horn faces five felony counts, including second-degree sexual assault of a child and sexual assault by a school staff member.
During questioning by Eau Claire police, after being read her Miranda rights, Horn admitted to sexual encounters with at least two 16-year-old male students at her apartment. She described the interactions as feeling “mutual” and “normal,” noting that one student “needed support,” and referred to her actions as “a mistake.” She also acknowledged exchanging messages that may have included explicit images.
The alleged activity spanned from mid-January to late March 2026. Court documents and victim accounts detail how Horn allegedly bought one student an iPhone 14 to enable private Snapchat communication, then sent revealing photos. Conversations reportedly escalated, with the teen describing the encounters as involving “everything sexual you can do with a person.” She is accused of encouraging him to skip class and sending a message inviting him over just hours before her arrest.
Horn admitted to police that she had sexual intercourse with one victim approximately three times and with another twice. At least one incident reportedly involved both students in the same room. On March 15, she allegedly hosted the two boys and a third teenager at her apartment, providing wine after they requested alcohol. Building surveillance video captured the group arriving in the evening and departing the next morning.
photo credit: Eau Claire Police Department.
Lieutenant Mark Pieper of the Eau Claire Police Department confirmed that multiple victims have been identified and stated it remains too early to determine if additional charges or victims will emerge. “Nadia Horn was arrested for sexual assault of a child by a school staff member and second-degree sexual assault of a child,” Pieper said. He also praised the school resource officer’s role, noting that strong relationships built by SROs with staff and students were key to receiving the initial information quickly.
In a statement, the Eau Claire Police Department noted: “On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the Eau Claire Police Department received information from the Eau Claire Area School District about a potential inappropriate relationship between a staff member and a student. … Through the course of the investigation, multiple victims have been identified.”
Eau Claire Area School District Superintendent Mike Johnson addressed the situation in a letter to families, calling the alleged conduct “deeply troubling.” He urged the community to respect student privacy, avoid spreading rumors, and directed anyone with concerns or additional information to contact the Eau Claire Police Department. Student support services were made available to those affected. The district placed Horn on unpaid suspension immediately.
Horn posted $15,000 cash bond following her initial court appearance on March 30 and was released with strict conditions, including no contact with minors (except supervised family visits), no contact with the school district or its students and staff, and complete sobriety. Her next court date is set for around May 20, 2026.
If convicted on all counts, she could face up to 40 years in prison and fines reaching $100,000. In Wisconsin, the age of consent is 18, and sexual activity between school staff and students under 18 is illegal regardless of any claimed consent or mutual feelings.
The investigation continues, with police encouraging parents to speak with their children and report any relevant details. Horn is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
