Kelly Simpson, a former Charlotte High School English teacher in Port Charlotte, Florida, was arrested on August 17, 2022, after Charlotte County deputies found a missing 15-year-old boy hidden inside her home. She was charged with interfering with the custody of a minor, a third-degree felony, and in July 2023 pleaded no contest in exchange for five years of probation, a permanent ban on teaching children, 100 hours of community service, and $916 in court fees. She served no prison time.
How Deputies Found the Teen
The 15-year-old had left his home on foot on August 12, 2022, after an argument with his parents, taking no phone, medication, or bank card with him. The sheriff’s office classified him as missing and endangered and posted a BOLO on Facebook.1WINK News. New Details in Arrest of a Charlotte County Teacher Accused of Hiding Missing Teen
A tip led investigators to Simpson, who was 31 at the time and employed by Charlotte County Public Schools.2Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Blog. Charlotte County Teacher Charged After Interfering With the Custody of a Minor When deputies came to her Port Charlotte residence, she said she knew the teen but denied he was in the house, telling them she had picked him up in Punta Gorda and dropped him at a gas station. She refused consent to search and asked what would happen if she did not let them clear the home.3Law & Crime. Florida English Teacher Accused of Hiding a Missing Teenage Boy in Her Home
A sergeant warned her she could face charges if the boy was found inside. She then went in and brought him out. The teen told deputies he had been staying at the house, and in a sworn statement he said he had shown Simpson the sheriff’s BOLO post on the Monday after he left home; according to him, she replied that “they would handle it the next day” rather than call authorities.3Law & Crime. Florida English Teacher Accused of Hiding a Missing Teenage Boy in Her Home Simpson was arrested the same day and posted a $5,000 bond. The sheriff’s office did not say whether the boy was her student.4News4Jax. Florida Teacher Arrested When Missing Teen Found at Her Home
The Charge Under Florida Law
Simpson was charged under Florida Statute 787.03, which makes it a third-degree felony to knowingly or recklessly take, entice, or conceal a minor from the custody of a parent or lawful guardian without lawful authority.5The Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes Section 787.03 – Interference With Custody A third-degree felony in Florida carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.6The Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes Section 775.082
The Plea and Sentence
On July 20, 2023, Simpson pleaded no contest. The deal gave her five years of probation, 100 hours of community service, $916 in court fees, and a permanent prohibition on teaching children. She avoided prison time, but the teaching ban ended her career in education.7WINK News. Former Charlotte County Teacher Accepts Plea Deal for Hiding Student Inside Her Home
What Happened to Her Job
Charlotte County Public Schools placed Simpson on administrative leave after the arrest, saying the district “takes an incident such as this very seriously” and that student safety is “a top priority.”8Boston 25 News. Missing Child Found Inside Florida Teacher’s Home The plea deal’s permanent teaching ban made the separation from the classroom final.