An Ohio teacher has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder after allegedly offering a high school student $2,000 to kill her estranged husband, according to court documents.
Stephanie Demetrius, a substitute teacher at the Academy for Urban Scholars High School in Columbus, was arrested on April 1 following a police investigation that began after the student’s mother discovered disturbing messages on their phone and contacted authorities.
VIDEO
According to documents from Franklin County Municipal Court, Demetrius allegedly approached the unnamed student on March 26, offering them $2,000—with a $250 down payment—to carry out the killing.
At a press conference, Sgt. James Fuqua of the Columbus Division of Police said, “This particular teacher was attempting to groom this young person into committing murder.” Police recovered a digital recording in which Demetrius reportedly assured the student that the remainder of the payment was forthcoming.
Demetrius is also alleged to have provided logistical details about her estranged husband’s daily routine, including that he works from home and when their children would be out of the house. When the student asked whether neighbors might hear gunfire, Demetrius allegedly responded that “they don’t care about the neighbors,” according to court filings.
Demetrius’ public defender denied the charges during a virtual court appearance, claiming the allegations are fabricated.
According to Ohio State Board of Education records, Demetrius holds a valid substitute license to teach pre-K through 12th grade. She filed for divorce from her husband, Carlington Demetrius, in April 2024. Court records show she previously filed for divorce in 2017, but that case was later closed.
Further complicating the situation, The Columbus Dispatch reports that Carlington Demetrius filed for emergency custody of the couple’s children in July 2024, citing allegations of previous abuse and property damage. The filing details claims that Stephanie violated a protective order, broke into his home, and assaulted both him and two of the children. He also accused her of setting fire to the home’s basement and deliberately disabling the furnace during freezing weather.
Demetrius is currently being held pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 11. If convicted, she faces up to life in prison, as conspiracy to commit murder is classified as a first-degree felony under Ohio law.
