Teacher accused of sexually abusing a student for eight-months

A teacher accused of sexually abusing a student for eight-months, allegedly engaging in a shocking classroom just before she was arrested.

A US high school teacher is accused of starting an eight-month illicit relationship with one of her students and allegedly sexually abused the boy in her classroom just hours before she was arrested.

Brooke Anderson, 27, faces three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, authorities in Florida have said.

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.

A high school teacher is accused of starting an eight-month illicit relationship with one of her students allegedly sexually abused the boy in her classroom just hours before she was arrested. Picture: HCSO

The alleged abuse began with sexually explicit text messages and “escalated” in the weeks leading up to her arrest.

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.

Anderson was a science teacher at Riverview High School near Tampa. Picture: Google Maps

A Sheriff said she ‘betrayed’ the trust of the entire community. Picture: iStock

“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.

“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 New YorkPost.

“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.