Crime
Victim killed in Cedar City drive-by shooting identified as 17-year-old KayLee Joan Dutton
Initial investigations indicate that Hunter’s vehicle was being pursued by an unidentified assailant for several miles.
Iron County investigators are appealing to the public for information regarding the tragic death of 17-year-old KayLee Joan Dutton, who was fatally shot while driving northwest of Cedar City on Friday night, Channe2 NOW has learned.
According to a statement from Iron County Sheriff’s Lt. Dave Mitchell, dispatchers received a report of gunfire targeting a vehicle at approximately 10:42 p.m. on Friday.
Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement and first responders discovered Dutton in a red pickup truck at the intersection of Midvalley Road and 4300 West.
Despite life-saving efforts by emergency personnel, the teenager succumbed to her injuries while being prepared for transport to Cedar City Hospital.
Initial investigations indicate that Dutton’s vehicle was being pursued by an unidentified assailant for several miles.
During the pursuit, the assailant’s vehicle pulled alongside Dutton’s truck and opened fire, striking her.
The gunfire caused Dutton to lose control of her vehicle, which swerved off the road, crashed through a vinyl fence, and came to rest approximately 100 feet northwest of the intersection.
Investigators are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Specifically, they are seeking witnesses who may have observed a small red pickup truck closely followed by a dark-colored truck or SUV on Lund Highway between 1600 North and Midvalley Road on Friday night.
Additionally, they are interested in sightings of these vehicles heading west on Midvalley Road toward the Three Peaks Campground area.
Residents and businesses along the affected routes are also encouraged to check their surveillance footage for any relevant video that might assist the investigation.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the young woman who lost her life during this tragic act of violence,” Lt. Mitchell stated.
The Iron County Sheriff’s Office has provided contact numbers for anyone with information or footage that could help in solving the case:
- Iron County Sheriff’s Office: (435) 867-7500
- Cedar Dispatch (Non-Emergency): (435) 586-9445
Authorities continue to investigate this senseless act and are committed to seeking justice for KayLee Joan Dutton and her family.
Crime
Criminal Charges Filed Against Utah Educator Alisha Marie George in Alleged Grooming and Sexual Abuse Case
West Jordan, Utah—A middle school teacher from West Jordan, identified as Alisha Marie George, 40, of Eagle Mountain, is currently facing a comprehensive slate of criminal charges stemming from allegations of grooming and sexual abuse involving a former male student.
The allegations suggest the defendant leveraged her position of trust, with the victim reportedly viewing her as a “mother figure.”
The defendant, who is married, was formally charged on Thursday in 3rd District Court with twenty-two separate counts, predominantly felonies.
These charges include:
- Four (4) counts of Forcible Sodomy (First-degree felony)
- One (1) count of Attempted Rape (First-degree felony)
- Twelve (12) counts of Forcible Sexual Abuse (Second-degree felony)
- One (1) count of Distributing Pornographic Material (Third-degree felony)
- Four (4) counts of Unlawful Kissing of a Minor (Class A misdemeanor)
At the time of her arrest, Ms. George was employed at Hawthorn Academy (9062 S. 2200 West) as an honors language arts teacher and the volleyball coach.
Prosecutors assert that Ms. George utilized her role and relationship with the victim’s family to initiate and engage in sexual conduct with the minor male between December 2023 and July 2024.
The victim initially met Ms. George when he was 12 years old and attending the school.
The charging documents outline that by December 2023, the victim’s mother and Ms. George had developed a close friendship.
The alleged abuse reportedly commenced over the Christmas break in December 2023, when the victim was 13.
The relationship intensified in the subsequent months. In February 2024, following a surgery the victim’s mother underwent, Ms. George allegedly offered substantial assistance, including providing transportation and care.
During this time, she would reportedly drive the student home and visit the house to play video games with him.
The victim described his bond with Ms. George to law enforcement as “tight,” stating he considered her a “mother figure” who was “always there for him.” The inappropriate contact is reported to have escalated from touching and kissing to sexual activity, occurring in various locations, including Ms. George’s vehicle, her residence, and the victim’s home.
The sexual contact reportedly ceased in July 2024.
Charging documents indicate that the defendant allegedly warned the victim “not to tell anyone,” leading the minor to feel he was “at the point of no return” and that they were “in a relationship.”
The victim further noted that Ms. George would allegedly express anger if he interacted with other female students at school.
The boy later referred to the teacher as a “monster,” explaining that she had exploited him during a period when he was particularly vulnerable and in need of support.
The victim asserted that he blocked Ms. George on all social media accounts after she texted him on his 2024 birthday, explicitly instructing her not to text him again.
Following Ms. George’s arrest, investigators reported that “multiple students” subsequently contacted the police department, alleging they had either been groomed by the defendant or had witnessed her inappropriate behavior with students.
Prosecutors have indicated that additional victims have since come forward, suggesting the distinct possibility of subsequent charges being filed in this case.
Ms. George’s initial court appearance is scheduled for December 9th.