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A Hurricane High School teacher and baseball coach was charged Friday for having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Aaron Karl Esplin, 40, of LaVerkin, was arrested Thursday and charged Friday in 5th District court with one count each of second degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor and class A misdemeanor sexual battery.

Police reported that Esplin admitted to touching the 17-year-old girl's buttocks over her clothing on multiple occasions, and that, at his request, she had sent him naked photos of herself.

The Hurricane High School administration reported the relationship to the police and placed Esplin on administrative leave, said Washington School District Communications Director Steven Dunham.

Officers are still investigating, according to Hurricane police spokeswoman Tiffany Mower.

Esplin started as a special education teacher at Hurricane High School 13 years ago, and now also teachers Drivers Education and coaches the JV baseball team, Dunham said.

Esplin is free after posting $16,950 bail. An initial court appearance is scheduled for April 27.

Note: Washington County officials clarified that despite a statement in the probable cause document saying that the student also had been arrested, that was not the case.

Twitter: @tiffany_mf