Nevada Teacher Accused of Sexually Abusing Younger Female Relative and Dozens of Other Kids for Decades: 'Deeply Disturbing'

A Nevada teacher has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault after she allegedly admitted to sexually abusing a female relative for decades, as well as a number of other children.

Taji Hillson, 62, was booked in the Washoe County Jail on July 2 on one count of sexual assault against a child under the age of 14, one count of sexual assault and three counts of lewdness with a child under the age of 14, according to Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) public records. Her bail was set at $5 million, per the office.

On April 30, an adult victim related to Hillson filed a sexual assault report with Reno Police, alleging that Hillson had sexually abused her “throughout her childhood and adulthood.” She claimed that “she would feel sexual pleasure while sleeping and often wake up with [Hillson] hovering over her,” per the report obtained by the Reno Gazette Journal, NBC affiliate News 4 and News 8.

The victim additionally provided police with text messages between herself and Hillson, in which Hillson allegedly admitted to “drugging her and touching her inappropriately,” according to court documents obtained by all three outlets.

On July 1, the victim — who lives near Hillson and is financially dependent on her, per the documents — submitted a letter from Hillson, in which the older woman allegedly apologized for the past sexual abuse. The message was left in the victim’s mailbox.

Hillson was interviewed by police on June 25, and she allegedly admitted to drugging and sexually abusing the female relative, according to the police report obtained by the Reno Gazette, News 4 and News 8.

“The defendant admitted to giving her [the alleged victim] Benadryl to sedate her by sneaking it in her food,” then touching the girl while she slept, according to the police report.

Hillson allegedly told police that she did this throughout the victim’s childhood and continued when the victim returned home from college in 2014.

She also allegedly told police that she committed “all of the actions as she never felt seen and desired to be close to another person,” per the documents. 

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Hillson additionally admitted to inappropriately touching a 2-year-old neighbor in a community pool within the last few years, as well as at least a dozen other children — mostly relatives — over the years, per the police report.

Hillson, who is a teacher, was employed at Roy Gomm Elementary School from September 2022 through June 13, 2025. She was still teaching there when the adult victim filed her initial report, according to the Reno Gazette. Police said there is no evidence that Hillson harmed any students while employed at the school, per the outlet.

In a July 10 press release from the Washoe District Attorney’s Office, D.A. Chris Hick confirmed that criminal charges had been filed against Hillson. “The filing of these charges represents my unwavering commitment to protecting children in our community and to aggressively pursuing and incarcerating those who commit sexual crimes against them,” he said in a statement.

“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing, and are currently involving two victims, one of whom is a toddler,” Hick continued. “I commend the extraordinary courage of the adult victim who came forward to report this abuse; a brave act that has allowed us to seek justice and protect others from harm.”

PEOPLE reached out to the Reno Police Department (RPD) and the Reno District Attorney’s Office (RDAO) for comment on Sunday, July 13, but did not receive an immediate response.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.