WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A dance instructor accused of sexual misconduct involving students pleaded guilty Nov. 9 to five felony child abuse charges in New Hanover County.
Elissa Susan Edwards, 43, pleaded guilty to five counts of felony child abuse involving a willful act causing serious physical injury. She was sentenced to six to eight months in prison and 36 months of supervised probation.
Court records show prosecutors dismissed two counts of statutory rape or sex offense and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child as part of a plea agreement.
Edwards was arrested July 18, 2024, following allegations of misconduct involving students at multiple dance studios across North Carolina, including several in New Hanover County, according to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
In New Hanover County, Edwards initially faced four counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and four counts of statutory rape or sex offense involving a defendant at least six years older than the victim. Arrest warrants alleged the offenses occurred in 2007 and involved at least three teenagers.
On July 22, 2024, the district attorney’s office said Edwards also faced statutory rape or sex offense and indecent liberties charges in Pender County.
Edwards’ charges in Pender County are still pending.
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