Hollywood middle school teacher charged with molesting minor
A Hollywood middle school teacher was arrested Wednesday after police say she developed a “maternal relationship” with a student, touched her inappropriately and kissed her on school grounds.
Felicia Smith, 39, a teacher at Driftwood Middle School, is charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a minor and lewd or lascivious battery, Hollywood Police said in a media release.
Officers arrested Smith after they “were made aware” of the relationship Wednesday, according to the release. Smith told police that she and the student had developed a “maternal relationship” at the beginning of the year and admitted that she kissed the girl on school grounds, according to the release. The victim told officers that she “was forced to inappropriately touch Smith.”
It is unclear when Smith was hired or whether the school district was investigating her prior to her arrest. The school district did not immediately have that information Thursday.
“An employee who works as a teacher has been arrested by Hollywood Police,” the school’s principal, Steven Williams, said in a message to parents about 11 a.m. Thursday. “While I am not able to provide details due to the ongoing case, I want you to know the individual has been reassigned away from our school and students pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Hollywood Police is working with the Broward School Board in the ongoing investigation, police said.
“The safety of our students is always our top priority,” the district said in a statement. “Broward County Public Schools is fully cooperating with the Hollywood Police Department in its investigation.”
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