Teacher's ‘sex act' hours before arrest for illicit 8-month relationship
Brooke Anderson, 27, faces three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Anderson, a science teacher at Riverview High School, southeast of Tampa, is accused of starting the relationship in September last year, the minor told investigators, according to The New York Post.
The relationship began with sexually explicit text messages and 'escalated' in the weeks leading up to her arrest, according to the sheriff's office.
Multiple instances of sexual activity were reported between Anderson and the student.
The most recent was inside Anderson's classroom where the pair allegedly had sex before the start of the school day on May 16, according to investigators.
That same day, Anderson was booked into jail by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office before being released on May 17 after a judge set her bail at $45,000 (around $70k AUD) — $15,000 ($23k) for each count — People.com reported.
'This teacher betrayed the trust of a student, a school, and an entire community. What should have been a safe, supportive environment for learning was exploited for abuse,' Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the press release.
'Her actions are criminal, calculated, and deeply disturbing.'
Unlawful sexual activity with a minor is a second-degree felony in Florida, and if found guilty, Anderson faces up to 15 years in prison.
She has yet to enter a plea, and it is unclear if she has an lawyer.
'Ms Anderson had been with the district since November 2021 and taught Biology,' a spokesperson for Hillsborough County Public Schools, which employed Anderson, told The Post.
'She has been suspended pending termination. She passed all required screenings and background checks prior to being hired.'
Hillsborough County Public Schools, which employed Anderson, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
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