Nickerson Substitute Teacher Charged with Sex Crimes, Serving Alcohol to Minors
June 2, 2025
NICKERSON, Kan. — A substitute teacher with Nickerson USD 309 has been charged with multiple serious offenses involving students, including sexual crimes and providing alcohol to minors.
Whitney Shull faces charges in Reno County that include: one count of unlawful sexual relations, one count of attempted unlawful sexual relations, one count of aggravated sexual battery of a person 16 or older, and two counts of unlawfully hosting minors consuming alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage.
Timeline of Alleged Crimes
According to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office, the crimes allegedly occurred "on or between" Jan. 31 and March 15, 2025. Court documents indicate that crimes related to most charges took place between January 31 and February 1, while one count of hosting minors refers to an incident on March 15.
Details of the Charges
The complaint against Shull clarifies that the case involved 16 and 17-year-olds, at least one of whom was "a student enrolled at the school where Whitney Shull was employed."
According to the criminal complaint, Shull is accused of fondling one victim and holding another down by the wrists while attempting to have the victim touch her. She's also accused of touching a third victim while they were unconscious. The victims are 16, 17 and 17 years old.
The two counts of hosting minors consuming alcohol make reference to all three juveniles.
Investigation Details
In a case investigated by the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, a substitute teacher in neighboring Reno County faces several charges involving sexual contact with a student and serving alcohol to minors. The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office investigated the case at the request of Reno County.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office confirmed last month that it was conducting an investigation involving Nickerson USD 309 students and staff at the request of the Reno County Sheriff's Office.
Legal Proceedings
Records show that Shull bonded out of jail. No upcoming court dates were listed in online court records.
The Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office explained the appointment of Sedgwick County DA Marc Bennett as "specially-appointed prosecutor" in the Reno County case. "When a prosecutor's office discovers a conflict with a particular case or defendant, the elected prosecutor typically seeks the assistance of the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, a prosecutor from another jurisdiction or a private attorney to prosecute the case in question," the DA's office explained.
This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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