River City Science Academy teacher charged with student 'grooming'

Authorities allege the teacher used Canva to solicit a romantic relationship with a student.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:11am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a small object related to the teacher's role, such as an ID badge, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the stark, gritty investigation into the alleged misconduct.A harsh, unforgiving spotlight on the troubling allegations of a teacher's abuse of power and trust.Today in Jacksonville

A teacher at River City Science Academy in Jacksonville, Florida has been arrested and charged with felony counts for allegedly soliciting a romantic relationship with a student and unlawfully using a communication device. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says the teacher is accused of 'grooming' the student through messages on the Canva platform.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious issue of teacher-student misconduct and the need for strict policies and oversight to protect vulnerable students from predatory behavior by educators in positions of trust and authority.

The details

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the River City Science Academy teacher was arrested on Tuesday and charged with felony counts related to soliciting a romantic relationship with a student and unlawfully using a communication device, such as the Canva platform, to engage in the alleged 'grooming' behavior.

  • The teacher was arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

River City Science Academy

A charter school located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that arrested the teacher and is investigating the case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge will determine whether the teacher will be allowed bail as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the critical need for schools to have robust policies, training, and oversight to prevent and quickly identify any inappropriate teacher-student relationships or misconduct, in order to protect vulnerable students.