Daycare teacher accused of plotting to kill ex-husband

Police say a daycare teacher in Paulding County tried to hire someone to kill her ex-husband.

Authorities say 48-year-old Melissa Bennett Silvers, a mother of two and teacher at Lost Mountain Academy Daycare, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder after allegedly concocting a murder-for-hire plot.

Silvers allegedly talked with an undercover agent several times over the course of two weeks about the plot.

"Melissa, through her contacts, made contact with an undercover agent who posed as a hit man," said Detective Donny Pace of the Paulding County Sheriff's Office.

She met the agent in the parking lot of a Dallas business on Dec. 13 and paid a portion of the agreed upon price for the hit, police said. She was arrested the next day at the daycare.

Police say the plot involved the agent pretending to be a firewood delivery person who would have shot and killed Silvers' ex-husband outside of his home. Authorities said that Silvers was insistent that the murder take place outside.

"Melissa wanted it outside so the cleanup could be easier," said Pace.

Silvers and her ex-husband were divorced in January 2012, but he allowed her to live in his home because of their adopted children, police said.

Police have not determined a motive behind the murder plot.

Silvers is currently being held without bond in the Paulding County Detention Center.