The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:38 PM
Florida Middle School Teacher In Jail For Having Sexual Relationship With 14-Year Old Male Student
Stephanie Peterson, 26, was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery and one count of transmission of harmful materials to a minor, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reported.
According to officials, Peterson – a science teacher at New Smyrna Beach Middle School – began a relationship with an student in 8th grade in November. The student told detectives on Tuesday that it began with her sending him nude photos.
He reportedly said Peterson then started driving over to his home at night and, on several occasions, picking him up around 11 p.m. and bringing him back around 1 or 2 a.m. The student said she also bought him marijuana.
The victim’s grades began to suffer after the illicit relationship began and she told him they couldn’t tell anyone or they’d get in trouble.
Police were alerted to the relationship on Tuesday when the teen told his parents.
Peterson was arrested and held on a $25,000 bond.
School officials told police that Peterson resigned from her teaching position on Monday.
