Andrea Jimenez, a 47-year-old science teacher at the Doral International Math and Science Academy in Florida, has been charged with lewd and lascivious assault on a child after she allegedly confessed her “love” for a 13-year-old teenager. Additionally, Jimenez repeatedly messaged the boy through various social media channels.
According to local police, Jimenez was “courting” the teenage boy, as she is accused of repeatedly contacting the teen through social media. Police say that Jimenez attempted to “lure” the boy into her classroom after school. Additionally, Jimenez allegedly tried to kiss the boy — who was 12-years-old at the time of the incident — on the last day of school in May 2018.
Florida authorities say that in an effort to remain in communication with the victim over the summer break, Jimenez allegedly downloaded “multiple social media applications.” Jimenez’s arrest affidavit said that she became “aggressively romantic in an obsessive tone” when communicating with the teen. Jimenez is also accused of regularly buying gifts for the teen, such as clothes and electronics.
“I will go to hell for u. Die for u stop eating to feed u. My love for u is so real and huge !!!” one of Jimenez’s messages read.
After she turned herself in on Friday, November 14, she was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious assault on a child.
As for why there has been such a significant increase in instances of teachers having sexual relationships with students, researchers believe that technology is to blame.
According to a report from the Texas Education Association, smartphones make easy for teachers to privately text and talk with students and also make it possible for teachers and students to share explicit images.
SESAME (Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct & Exploitation) President Terri Miller echoed that sentiment, stating “before cell phones, we knew who our kids were talking to” but today, “kids have their own phones, they’re taking them to bed, and parents need to watch more.”
Jones has been one of many teachers to be charged for inappropriate conduct. Over the course of just a few months, teachers across the United States have been charged, tried, and convicted of various abuse and sex crimes.
The list goes on to include 22-year-old Oklahoma science teacher Hunter Day, 28-year-old teacher Megan Kotarski, 23-year-old history teacher Michelle Schiffer, 29-year-old Alyssia Marie Reddy, special education teacher Jordan Ondish and 28-year-old Samantha Fitzpatrick have all been allegedly carrying on inappropriate relationships with their students.
Most recently, teachers such as 29-year-old Haylie Smart, 25-year-old Alaina Ferguson, 26-year-old Amy Nowaczyk, and 32-year-old Laura Bucy were arrested and charged for similar crimes.
