Florida teacher, 40, had sex with son's teenage friend 'several hundred times' and plied him with expensive gifts
CANTONMENT, FLORIDA: A Florida special education teacher has been arrested and charged after she allegedly had sex with one of her son's friends "several hundred times."
Susan Weddle, 40, of Cantonment, first came to the attention of authorities after a high school guidance counselor notified them about a possible relationship between her and her son's friend, according to the Pensacola News-Journal.
A witness had told the counselor they had seen explicit messages between the two, following which the latter had reported to the Department of Children and Families. Another witness later told the Escambia County Sheriff's Office that they had seen Weddle and the teen kissing on April 3 this year when they had been fired to pressure wash the teacher's home. The same witness also admitted the teen had shown him naked photos of the 40-year-old on his phone, as well as a video of them having sex.
When questioned late this November, the teen confessed he had been in a sexual relationship with Weddle for more than a year. He said he was 15 and the teacher was 39 when they first met and estimated they had sex "several hundred times" at various locations, including her house, his home, her vehicle, and even the beach.
"Weddle was his first and only sexual partner, and he believed himself to be in love with her," the arrest report said, adding that Weddle had showered the teen with gifts such as an iPhone, a necklace, and a bracelet.
After the allegations emerged, Weddle resigned from her position as a learning resource specialist at the J.E. Hall Center, where she had helped train special education teachers for the last 11 months. Before that, she was employed as a teacher at L.D. McArthur Elementary School. Weddle had worked with special education students and special education teachers in both positions.
"We will not have any tolerance for a teacher that crosses that line," said Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas about the 40-year-old. "Allegations of crossing the line sexually with a student, are some of the most serious allegations that a teacher can face."
Weddle has been charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, sexual assault, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail on Monday, December 1, and is being held on a $150,000 bond.