High school athletic trainer accused of having inappropriate relationship with student

High school athletic trainer accused of having inappropriate relationship with student

An athletic trainer has been arrested after allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Christina G. Payton, 27, turned herself in to police Wednesday almost two months after cops received a report of an athletic trainer, who was employed with the Indian Creek High School, Illinois, allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received the report on June 10, and on August 5, Payton turned herself in to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Christina G. Payton turned herself in to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Lee County Sheriff’s Office

She turned herself in on four felony counts of official misconduct, four felony counts of distribution of harmful material to a minor, and four misdemeanor counts of distribution of harmful material to a minor, according to police.

Payton, of Creston, was released pursuant to the Illinois SAFE-T Act — a 2021 criminal justice reform law that means defendants no longer have to pay money to be released from jail while awaiting trial.

Payton was given a court date of August 27 at 9:00 a.m.


A high school with nothing around it but trees
Payton was employed at Indian Creek High School in Shabbona, Illinois. Google Maps

“All charges are merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” police added in an online statement.

Payton and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately return The Post’s calls for comment.

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