Teacher Kellie Ann-Marie Baynham, 43, charged with grooming girl

A Brisbane southside schoolteacher who allegedly groomed a girl for eight years, has been charged with more than 35 sexual offences has been stood down from her current school.

Kellie Ann-Marie Baynham, 43, has been charged with more than 35 offences following investigations into alleged historical child indecent treatment offences.

A Brisbane southside schoolteacher who faced court yesterday for allegedly grooming a girl for eight years has been stood down from her current post at another school.

Kellie Ann-Marie Baynham, 43, was charged with 34 counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, one count of exposing to a child under 16 and one count of grooming.

The Carinity Education Southside teacher had her matters mentioned in Beenleigh Magistrates Court today, March 11.

Ms Baynham was not working there at the time of the alleged offending.

However the school told media that Ms Whiteside, who was employed until February 23, was immediately stood down from duties at the school with pay after it was notified by police of the charges from a different school.

“As soon as the employee’s registration with the Queensland College of Teachers was suspended, the teacher was suspended without pay awaiting the outcome of the charges.”

“During the employee’s tenure with Carinity Southside, no claims of inappropriate behaviour towards students have been received and no inappropriate behaviour towards students suspected,” the Carinity spokesperson said.

“Appropriate pre-employment screening of the employee was conducted before they commenced with Carinity, with no adverse findings discovered. Further, on the date the school was advised of the allegations, the employee retained registration through the Queensland College of Teachers.”

A spokesperson said the school had “respected the right of the employee to have the matter dealt with through the legal system” and it would “communicate with parents to clarify any uncertainties”.

Her case was adjourned to May 15 for mention and her bail was enlarged.

Police allege Ms Baynham developed a relationship with a 12-year-old girl and began having sex with her.

A statement from a Queensland police spokesperson said “investigations commenced last month following information provided to police about alleged offences that occurred between June 2015 and March 2023”.

Police allege Ms Baynham began messaging the girl over Instagram and they slept over at her house as well as meeting in public toilets.

They also allegedly engaged in sexual conversations over text and shared naked photographs.

Police allege the pair went on trips together and Ms Baynham deliberately transferred to the girl’s high school.

Her behaviour was reported to the Principal but the girl’s parents were not aware of the relationship.

“Looking back on what happened, I feel that Kellie took advantage of her position and I can now see how wrong everything was. I believe Kellie groomed me,” the alleged victim said in their witness statement.

Originally published as Teacher Kellie Ann-Marie Baynham, 43, charged with grooming girl