Elementary school employee accused of sex with student

Durham, N.C. — Gina Marie Watring, a teacher’s assistant at Creekside Elementary in Durham, is charged with two counts of first degree sex offense with a child, the Durham County sheriff’s office said Wednesday.

Watring, 40, of 106 Cricket Ground in Durham, is accused of having sex with a student on April 10 and April 21, according to the arrest warrant.

The sheriff’s office would not say how old the student was or where the alleged incidents occurred.

Watring's neighbor told WRAL News that the charges were "ludicrous" and that Watring is "a wonderful person."

Watring was being held at the Durham County Jail under a $100,000 bond Wednesday evening. She is due in court Thursday morning.

Watring worked for the school system from Nov. 15, 2006 until Tuesday, Durham Public Schools spokesman Michael Yarborough said. He would not comment about Watring's charges or the investigation.

Watring taught dance and drama at the school, located at 5321 Ephesus Church Road, according to the school’s Web site.