A teacher at a middle school in Hollywood was arrested after police said she had "inappropriate contact" with a student.
Felicia Sharonda Smith, a teacher at Driftwood Middle School, was arrested on charges of lewdand lascivious molestation and lewd and lascivious battery, Hollywood Police officials said Thursday.
Police said they were made aware Wednesday of inappropriate contact between the student and the 39-year-old Smith.
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According to an arrest report, the student, who is between 12 and 16, had been skipping physical education class for weeks to spend time with Smith.
On Tuesday, Smith allegedly kissed the cheek of the student hard enough to leave a hickey, the report said.
Smith admitted she and the student developed a maternal relationship at the beginning of the year and then admitted to kissing the student on school grounds, police said.
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The student told officers she was also forced to inappropriately touch Smith, and on at least three occasions, Smith pulled her into a closet and kissed her, officials said.
Smith was booked into jail, where she was being held without bond Thursday, records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.
Smith has been a language arts teacher at Driftwood Middle since 2022, and was a substitute teacher for the three previous years.
Police said they're working with the Broward School Board as the investigation continues.
"The safety of our students is always our top priority. Broward County Public Schools is fully cooperating with the Hollywood Police Department in its investigation. The teacher has been reassigned away from the school and students pending the outcome of the case," the district said in a statement Thursday.
