Ottawa County first grade teacher accused of sexual contact with foster son

UPDATE:

A northeast Oklahoma first-grade teacher admitted to having sexual contact with her 16-year-old foster son.

35-year-old Melanie Gale Friend, of Wyandotte, was arrested on one count of child sexual abuse after investigators said she willingly disclosed the encounter to authorities at the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office.

Friend said the sexual contact happened in late June 2025 at her home.

She allegedly said she went into the teenager’s bedroom after he became upset with her husband and that the two had sexual intercourse.

Friend told investigators it was the only time they had sex.

Friend’s husband told investigators he had become concerned because his wife frequently stayed up late in the teen's bedroom, according to the affidavit.

He said he had checked on them but never personally witnessed inappropriate conduct.

The foster child is scheduled for a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Ottawa County, and investigators said the case would be forwarded to the Ottawa County District Attorney’s Office.

Investigators said the Oklahoma Department of Human Services had previously received allegations involving Friend and the foster child. According to the affidavit, both had denied those allegations when DHS previously contacted the family.

Friend also allegedly acknowledged having sexual relations with another minor in the past, although she declined to identify that person. The affidavit says that the teenager was 17 at the time and was not in Friend’s care.

Friend is listed on Turkey Ford School’s website as a first-grade teacher.

She was booked into the Ottawa County jail Tuesday afternoon and has since posted bond.