A Tacoma middle school teacher was charged Thursday with five counts of second-degree rape of a child, according to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Keshia Shaw, 33, is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a 12-year-old boy who is a former sixth-grade student of hers.

Prosecutors said the alleged sexual incidents began in April 2007 when Shaw was the student’s science and math teacher at Grey Middle School.

The first alleged incident happened when the victim was retaking a test alone in Shaw’s classroom, according to prosecutors. Shaw then took the victim to the room between her classroom and the adjoining classroom, where they engaged in sexual activity, according to prosecutors.

The two had sex again, about a week later, when the boy stayed after school, according to the documents.

The prosecuting attorney’s office said Shaw warned the victim not to tell anyone.

The victim is now 17, and the incidents remained a secret until recently.

"These allegations came to light because the student was at church listening to a sermon about sexual abuse,” said prosecutor Mark Lindquist.  "The pastor urged those who had been victims to talk about the abuse because the truth would 'set you free.'"  

Shaw has been placed on administrative leave by the Tacoma School District. She is scheduled to be arraigned  at 11 a.m. Friday in the County-City Building.