Florida teacher allegedly sexually assaulted student, evaded arrest

A former teacher in Florida has been arrested after she allegedly had a sexual relationship with a student.

Taylor J. Anderson, 38, a former teacher at IMG Academy, has been arrested and charged with sexual battery by custodial authority, traveling to meet a minor and transmission of harmful material to a minor.

On Sept. 14, detectives with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Child Unit were notified by staff at the school about a possible sexual relationship between a teacher and an underage student.

School administration heard rumors about an unlawful relationship and quickly confronted the student to confirm whether the rumors were true, according to the sheriff's office.

The student admitted to having sex with Anderson. Administrators immediately said she was not allowed back on campus and fired her a short time later.

During the investigation, detectives found Anderson was communicating with the student via direct messages, social media and texts over a period of several weeks, according to the sheriff's office.

Detectives also learned that Anderson allegedly picked up the student from the student’s apartment in July and traveled to the beach, where the pair had sex while inside Anderson’s vehicle, according to police.

Anderson refused to talk with detectives and invoked her right to seek legal counsel, according to the sheriff's office.

Search warrants were written for her residence, her vehicle and her cell phone.

Evidence from the search warrants, along with statements made by the student and data from the student’s cell phone were used to develop three arrest warrants on the charges.

Detectives tried to serve the warrants to Anderson’s home, but she was not there at the time.

Her attorney was contacted and updated on the charges. After several days of evading deputies, including a brief trip out of state, Anderson turned herself in on Sept. 20 at the Manatee County Jail.