COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A teacher at The Academy For Urban Scholars High School in Columbus is facing serious allegations after reportedly offering to pay a student to have her soon-to-be ex-husband killed.

Court documents reveal that Stephanie Demetrius, 44, of Powell, approached a student at the school on March 26, offering $2,000 to carry out the murder.

"This particular teacher was attempting to groom this young person into committing murder," said Sgt. James Fuqua, with the Columbus Division of Police.

Charging documents say the student was initially paid $250 in cash as a down payment. Investigators have collected digital evidence, including a recorded phone call between the student and Demetrius. During the call, Demetrius assured the student that the remaining payment was not a concern, stating she owed an additional "15."

Police say they learned about the alleged murder-for-hire plot, when the teen's mom discovered suspicious information on her son's phone and contacted authorities.

"Without their help, some of this might not have come to light," said Fuqua, "this was a situation where a parent was able to capture things inside this young person's phone and contact authorities."

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Demetrius also provided details about her estranged husband's schedule, noting when their children would be out of the house and that he worked from home. When questioned about potential noise from gunfire, she reportedly dismissed concerns about the neighbors.

Court records show Demetrius and her husband married in 2004 and were going through divorce proceedings

ABC 6 reached out to the high school for a comment, but no one contacted us.

During a virtual hearing, a public defender for Demetrius denied the charges, calling it a fabrication.

Demetrius has been released on a $150,000 cash surety bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 11 at 9 a.m.

Conditions of her bond include no consumption or possession of alcohol, no drug use, no violence, obeying protection orders, and staying away from the juvenile involved in this case as well as the victim.