BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — A Palm Beach County science teacher allegedly used a shared Google document to communicate with an underaged student before their relationship escalated to sexual encounters on campus and at his apartment, according to an arrest affidavit.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) said that Elias Gordon Farley, 26, a science teacher at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, faces two felony counts:
- Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor
- Offense Against Students by Authority Figures
Investigators say the case began on November 18, when a student disclosed to authorities that she had been sexually involved with Farley. According to the probable cause affidavit, the student reported that the inappropriate relationship started as casual conversations during the previous school year and escalated over the summer through exchanges on a shared Google document.
The affidavit details that physical contact began in mid-September, with incidents occurring on campus in Farley’s office and a classroom. The student alleged multiple sexual encounters, including oral sex and intercourse, both at school and at Farley’s apartment in early November. Detectives later executed a search warrant at Farley’s residence, recovering items consistent with the victim’s description, including condom wrappers and bedding.
See also: Man wins lottery, then immediately gets robbed in Palm Springs parking lot
School officials confirmed in the PBSO report they were alerted to the allegations on November 17, after the student confided to a teacher. The school immediately reported the matter to the Department of Children and Families and Farley was suspended.
Farley declined to provide a statement to investigators after being read his Miranda rights, according to PBSO. Digital evidence obtained through a warrant, including Google documents and emails, allegedly corroborated the victim’s account.
Farley was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on December 3. The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office at 561-688-3000.
Comment with Bubbles
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)
Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day’s top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can’t miss video.
