A substitute teacher in the Clark County School District, Nevada died by suicide two days after being arrested on child abuse charges. Nicholas Bott, 44, was arrested on May 16, 2024, on charges of child abuse and unlawful contact with a minor. He worked at Ernest A. Becker Sr. Middle School in Las Vegas.
According to police reports, Bott was accused of sending inappropriate notes to a 14-year-old student. The arrest report revealed that Bott had become infatuated with the student and expressed his feelings through several notes, including statements that he thought she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He gave her his contact information and told her to keep everything secret. School officials removed Bott from campus and contacted the police, who initiated an investigation on May 14.
Bott was taken into custody on May 16 and booked into the Clark County Detention Center. He posted bail the following day. Two days later, on May 18, Bott died by suicide from a gunshot wound to the head, confirmed by the Clark County Office of the Coroner.
The case has sparked significant concern within the community. “This is an alarming situation for everyone involved,” said a Clark County School District spokesperson. The district had also removed Bott from its substitute pool, making him ineligible to work there.
Court records indicate Bott’s first court appearance was scheduled for June 20. The investigation revealed that Bott admitted to becoming infatuated with the student and acknowledged crossing professional boundaries. In an email to the school principal, Bott confessed to his feelings but insisted he had not done anything morally wrong.
The arrest has led to discussions about the measures to protect students and the protocols for vetting substitute teachers. The school district has emphasized the importance of immediate reporting and thorough investigations in such cases.
