​Text Messages Expose Washington Teacher’s Alleged Affairs with Adopted Sons

A Washington state alternative high school teacher and former foster care advocate faces up to 10 years in prison after being charged with incest for allegedly engaging in sexual relationships with two of her teenage adopted sons.

​Amber Swain, 35, of Newport, entered a plea of not guilty during her arraignment on June 8 in Pend Oreille County Superior Court. The charges follow an investigation triggered when her estranged husband provided incriminating text communications to child welfare authorities.

​Incriminating Messages Trigger Investigation

​The case against Swain, a mother of six, came to light after Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) received a series of text messages from her separated husband. Court documents reveal a pattern of sexually charged correspondence between Swain and one of the boys.

​According to a probable cause affidavit, when one of the adopted sons texted Swain stating he wanted to sleep in her bed “again, just once,” she initially responded with a refusal, writing: “No. I love you so much. Nothing like that is ever going to happen. You will find someone who you love being with like that and care about.”

​However, subsequent forensic interviews conducted by the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office paint a different picture. One of the unidentified teenagers alleged to investigators that he had engaged in sexual relations with Swain “many times,” including a dynamic that reportedly began in December 2025 when he was 17 years old.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Suspicion and Admissions

​According to the affidavit, the second adopted son grew suspicious of an illicit dynamic between his brother and their mother after discovering her undergarments on his sibling’s bedroom floor and finding them together inside a locked room.

​The same teenager detailed an encounter where he fell asleep in Swain’s bed and awoke to find her climbing in beside him. He told investigators that while physical closeness felt “normal” due to a history of childhood cuddling, the interaction escalated to inappropriate physical contact.

​When questioned by detectives, Swain initially denied any sexual impropriety. According to court records, her statements evolved during the interview; she initially claimed she was half-asleep when the physical contact occurred, but eventually admitted to a sexual relationship with the other adopted son that she claimed began in February. Detectives noted the victim stated the relationship began months earlier, while he was still a minor.

​Professional Fallback and Legal Framework

​Swain has a prominent public profile in the region as a foster care advocate. She previously served as the executive director of Spokane Angels, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster children and families. At the time of her arrest on June 2, she was employed as a teacher at Pend Oreille River School, an alternative high school within the Newport School District.

​Following her arrest, the school district immediately placed Swain on administrative leave and barred her from all contact with students and staff. In an official statement, district officials emphasized they are cooperating fully with law enforcement, stating, “We take these matters very seriously.”

​During her initial court appearance, District Court Judge Robin McCroskey found probable cause for three felony counts: first-degree incest, second-degree incest, and first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. First-degree incest carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine under Washington state law.

​Swain’s bail was set at $20,000 despite requests from Pend Oreille County Prosecuting Attorney Dolly Hunt for a higher amount due to concerns regarding potential witness tampering. Swain remains under strict court orders prohibiting any contact with the victims or any minors, and she is barred from leaving the state. Her trial is scheduled to begin on October 6.