Teacher's School District Hit With Search Warrant in Grooming Investigation

The Peoria Unified School District is now at the center of a criminal investigation that’s forcing the district to hand over sensitive documents. On Thursday, May 28, authorities served the school with a search warrant demanding materials related to teacher Haley Beck, 27, and fellow educator Angela Burlaka, 47, as part of an ongoing probe into alleged grooming and inappropriate relationships with multiple students.

The investigation kicks into a new gear with this warrant. The Peoria Police Department had already submitted public records requests on May 13, but when the district flagged concerns about legal compliance with state and federal law, law enforcement escalated. Now, Peoria Unified has until June 5, 2026 to produce everything: electronic documents, personnel files, police reports, and more. District staff immediately turned over hard-copy materials, but the full digital archive is still being compiled.

Here’s what we know about Beck’s case. She was placed on administrative leave from Centennial High School in 2025 as the district investigated accusations that she groomed a student who was a minor when the alleged inappropriate contact began—even though he was 18 when the investigation started. According to a Peoria Unified spokesperson, investigators found that Beck groomed the student, which led to a sexual relationship, resulting in a termination recommendation. Text messages obtained by media outlets showed Beck allegedly completed homework for the student, let him drive her car, bought him marijuana and alcohol, and sent explicit sexual messages describing herself as a sugar momma and offering sexual acts.

Burlaka, the other teacher named in the warrant, was accused of an inappropriate relationship with the same student and resigned from her position. The Peoria Police Department opened their investigation into an adult luring a minor for sexual exploitation in the summer of 2025. In May 2026, police also began looking into accusations about a possible inappropriate relationship between Beck and another student after receiving a tip based on a TikTok post.

The Peoria Unified statement emphasizes cooperation with law enforcement and says the district remains committed to assisting authorities within legal bounds. The case now sits with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as they consider potential criminal charges. For a school district, this represents both a serious institutional failure in oversight and a moment where the legal system is being asked to determine what comes next.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). For child abuse concerns, contact the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.