Fort Myers, FL - An instructional support employee at a Southwest Florida educational center was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Authorities say 32-year-old Lauren King, an employee at Royal Palm Exceptional Center, was arrested at The Enclave apartment complex in Fort Myers after the Fort Myers Police Department received reports alleging King had an inappropriate relationship with a student.
The investigation revealed over 4,000 text messages exchanged between King and the student, including sexually explicit content.
According to authorities, King met the student outside of school hours and engaged in sexual battery.
King was charged with lewd or lascivious battery and lewd or lascivious molestation.
"The School District of Lee County does not tolerate this kind of alleged behavior," a district spokesperson stated. "The employee was immediately removed from the school upon receiving the report."
King is currently detained at the Lee County Jail.
Police are encouraging anyone with information regarding King's crimes to contact them at (239)321-7700.