Newport teacher charged with incest after alleged sexual relationships with two adopted teenage sons
Amber N. Swain, 35, a teacher and director at Pend Oreille River School in Newport, Washington, was arrested and charged with incest and first‑degree sexual misconduct after authorities allege sexual relationships with her two adopted teenage sons.
- Charges filed: First‑ and second‑degree incest and first‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor.
- Investigation: Began after a DCYF report and forensic interviews of both adopted teens.
- Release conditions: Bail set at $20,000; no contact with minors and specific no‑contact orders for the alleged victims.
- Legal context: Washington statutes cover adoptive parent/child incest and position‑of‑trust misconduct with 16–17‑year‑olds.
Who is Amber Swain and where she worked
Court records and local coverage identify Amber N. Swain, 35, as a teacher and director at Pend Oreille River School, the Newport School District’s alternative high school. The district has placed Swain on administrative leave and said it is cooperating with investigators.
Sources cited in reporting include Fox News and KHQ.
How the investigation began
The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office says the probe started on May 18 after Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) reported possible sexual abuse involving two teenage males who are Swain’s adopted sons. Deputies were shown text messages between Swain and one teen, prompting separate forensic interviews and a recorded interview with Swain.
Reporting on the sequence of events cites interviews and law enforcement releases summarized by Fox News, KHQ, and local outlets.
Allegations: details from each teen
Allegations from one teen
Account: One teen told investigators a sexual relationship with Swain began while he was 17. He said they had sex in December before he turned 18 and that sexual contact occurred “plenty of times,” including days before his interview. That account figures centrally in the first‑degree incest and first‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor counts.
These details were reported from court summaries and coverage on Fox News and a local video summary on YouTube.
Allegations from the other teen
Account: The second teen told detectives that in May he was in bed with Swain and touched her multiple times; he said Swain stopped the contact before it progressed. Swain reportedly told investigators the teen had put his hands on her and that she pushed him away. That incident is tied to the second‑degree incest count.
Local reporting and the sheriff’s office summaries used by Fox News and YouTube document these accounts.
Swain’s statements to investigators
Detectives interviewed Swain on June 2, 2026. Court summaries say she initially denied sexual contact with one teen but later acknowledged a sexual relationship in February, claiming it occurred after that teen turned 18. In the record she is quoted saying, “I could have my timeline messed up.” Investigators concluded there was probable cause and arrested her.
Summaries in local reporting include coverage by KHQ and video reporting on YouTube.
Criminal charges and possible penalties
Charges filed: Prosecutors charged Swain with first‑degree incest, second‑degree incest, and first‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor. Local reports note that if convicted on all counts she could face roughly 20 years in prison and up to about $50,000 in fines under Washington sentencing ranges.
Washington’s incest statutes include adoptive parent/child relationships, which explains why incest counts were pursued even where some contacts may have occurred after a teen reached 18.
Bail, release conditions and court process
At the first hearing the prosecutor sought $50,000 bail citing public safety; Swain’s public defender argued for release noting no prior criminal history. A judge set bail at $20,000. Conditions of release include a ban on contacting anyone under 18 and no‑contact orders protecting the two alleged victims.
Prosecutors also said Swain allegedly attempted jail contact with one teen after her arrest, a factor in the request for strict terms.
School district, law enforcement and public statements
The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation began after a DCYF report and said detectives interviewed both teens and Swain before making the arrest. The Newport School District confirmed Swain’s employment at Pend Oreille River School, said it is cooperating, and emphasized it takes such matters “very seriously.” The district declined further comment citing personnel and privacy rules.
What remains unclear
News accounts rely on court summaries, law‑enforcement statements and local reporting; full charging documents and probable‑cause affidavits are not yet widely published. Reporters note no publicly reported prior criminal record for Swain and no indication other students are involved. The case is now in Pend Oreille County Superior Court; future hearings will provide more detail.
Legal context in Washington
Under Washington law, incest charges apply when a parent — including an adoptive parent — has sexual contact with a child. First‑degree sexual misconduct with a minor can apply when an adult in a position of trust or authority has sex with a 16‑ or 17‑year‑old. That legal framework explains why prosecutors pursued incest counts even for some encounters alleged after a teen turned 18.
Implications for San Luis Obispo, California
Economic: The case is centered in Washington and will not directly affect San Luis Obispo’s economy, but it could prompt local districts to invest in training, audits, or updated background‑check procedures.
Political & social: For moderate local audiences, the case may renew debate about school oversight, adoption monitoring and child welfare practices; families and community groups may seek reassurance about reporting and safety policies.
Practical steps: Parents and school staff are advised to review mandated‑reporting procedures, adult‑student boundary policies and background‑check practices with local Child Protective Services and district offices.
Ongoing coverage and next steps
The matter is in the early stages. Future hearings in Pend Oreille County Superior Court will include arraignment details, pretrial motions and potential trial dates. Journalists will continue to monitor filings, law‑enforcement updates, and statements from the Newport School District and prosecutors. Swain is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Sources and reporting links
- Fox News: “Washington teacher charged with incest after allegedly having sex with two teenage boys she adopted”
- KHQ‑TV: Newport teacher arrested in Pend Oreille County sex‑abuse case
- Bonner County Daily Bee: Newport teacher arrested for alleged sexual contact with teens
- Local video summary and court‑document reporting (YouTube)
Reporting by Times Media Service. Sources include law enforcement releases and local news coverage.
