News of a Greenport teacher's aide being charged with rape sent shockwaves through the community Sunday.

Police say Maria Commins, 39, was caught in a Riverhead hotel with a 15-year-old boy. Authorities say the teen admitted that the two had sex. Commins is charged with rape and giving alcohol to a minor.

Authorities won't say whether the victim attended the same Greenport school where Commins is employed. According to people in the community, Commins' two children attend school there.

The accusations have left some people on edge. "I look out for my little sister a lot," says Ali Dirhalleh of his sister, who will be attending the same school next year. "I don't want anything bad happening."

Others are coming to Commins' defense. "She's a nice person and I like her because she used to help with a lot of stuff," says student Julio Anaya.

The Greenport schools superintendent has not returned calls for comment.