New Smyrna Beach, FL - A former teacher at New Smyrna Beach Middle School is facing charges after Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) says she had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student and sent the student nude photos.
26-year-old Stephanie Peterson, also known as Stephanie Ferri, is accused of starting the sexual relationship with an eighth-grade boy in November. The student reported the relationship to his parents, and a detective responded to the boy's home on Tuesday.
The 14-year-old told detectives that Peterson would come to his home, pick him up around 11 PM, and then bring him back a few hours later. Peterson allegedly told the boy he couldn't tell anyone about the relationship since they would get in trouble. Peterson is also accused of bringing the boy marijuana.
VCSO says that Peterson resigned from her teaching position on Monday. She was taken into custody on Wednesday. She is charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery and one count of transmission of harmful materials to a minor, and her charges carry a $25,000 bond.
"We trust our teachers to mold our kids' lives, to shape their futures, teach them, educate them, prepare them for the real world, not to victimize them through their positions of authority," says Andrew Gant, Public Information Officer for VCSO.
Anyone with information about any additional potential victims is asked to contact the VCSO Child Exploitation Unit at 386-323-3574.
(Peterson's mugshot courtesy VCSO)
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