Caroline Lawson, a 39-year-old Hillsborough County high school English teacher, was arrested for having sex with her student.
According to Hillsborough County authorities, Lawson, 29, had an unidentified high school student to her apartment in Tampa on Wednesday, November 1, around 5 PM EST.
The arrest affidavit states that while the student was at Lawson’s home, the two engaged in consensual sex. The report also notes that the two did not use a condom.
That night, Lawson sent a series of text messages to a third party, which described part of what occurred.
via ABC Action News:
Lawson’s text read: “I cheated on jameson… with a student”.
English teacher Caroline Lawson's staff photo at Earl J. Lennard High School in Ruskin. https://t.co/pFPtxhrP1H pic.twitter.com/uzaf90Iykb
— ABC Action News (@abcactionnews) November 3, 2017
Police met with the alleged student, who then gave a detailed account of his sexual experience with Lawson. The 17-year-old male student was able to provide Lawson’s full name and age to authorities.
Lawson was arrested on Friday, November 3 and was charged with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. She was transported and booked into the Hillsborough County jail.
Hillsborough County Public Schools released a statement regarding Lawson’s arrest:
“We are deeply disappointed by these charges. The safety of our students is our top priority. We are working with law enforcement as they investigate. This employee has resigned her position with the district.”
Lawson posted $30,000 bond and was released.
