Miami-Dade teacher arrested for indecent relationship with 12-year-old student
MIAMI (FloridaToday.news) – A Miami-Dade County public school teacher has been arrested for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 12-year-old student.
On Friday, June 30, a Miami-Dade High School police officer received a report of an inappropriate relationship between 26-year-old Martai Delvon McCullough Jr. and a student. The victim, who was enrolled in the class of defendant in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, has revealed disturbing details of the alleged misconduct.
Court records state that, according to the victim, the relationship began with an exchange of stickers just before Christmas 2022. After the school Christmas break, the defendant gave the victim notes of affection, including “I love you.” which they would also say to each other verbally. The defendant continued to buy the victim’s meals through delivery services such as UberEats and DoorDash. The victim admitted to skipping classes to meet the defendant in his class during his planning, where they hugged each other.
In the course of the 2022-2023 academic year, relations escalated. The victim said that they began kissing mouth to mouth, and in some cases the defendant sat the victim on his lap, kissing and groping her buttocks. On the birthday of the victim, the defendant approached her and gave her a bracelet.
During spring break 2023, the victim contacted the defendant via Instagram using the username “themaclife” while she was operating under the username “jamesneil_94” to maintain secrecy. To avoid suspicion, the defendant created the Instagram username “jamesneil_97”. Their Instagram conversations have grown into daily direct messages and video chats.
It was during these conversations that the defendant allegedly begged the victim for photographs of her legs. The victim reported that the defendant voluntarily and intentionally exposed his genitals to her during video chats. In text messages on the victim’s mobile phone, the defendant made frank remarks about her legs and thighs, saying “I bet your legs and thighs taste like caramel” and “I just want to suck on your toes and lick your ankles all the way to the top.” to your thighs.”
Several stickers were found on the victim containing messages such as “I love you too”, “Hey loser, you look great today”, “You look great today” and “Whatever I do to make you angry. I’m sorry, I hope you’re all right,” which, according to the victim, were written by the defendant. The victim also showed screenshots taken from her electronic device, which depict explicit content involving the defendant.
Miami-Dade Schools Police confiscated victim and defendant’s electronic devices for forensic examination. The defendant, after being read his rights to Miranda, gave a full confession. He was subsequently arrested, briefed on the charges, and taken to Turner, Guildford, Knight’s Correctional Center.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools released the following statement:
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is deeply concerned about the troubling allegations leveled against this individual. Upon learning of this suspicious behavior, the Miami-Dade School Police immediately launched an investigation and subsequently made an arrest. This behavior is unacceptable as it is contrary to the professional behavior we expect from all employees. The county has initiated a termination procedure and will ensure that the person will not be able to seek employment in the county in the future.
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