JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A former Orange Park Junior High School teacher is accused of having sex with a former student, who is now pregnant, according to an arrest warrant.
Loren Neely, 29, was booked into the Duval County jail Friday on a charge of unlawful sexual activity with someone who is 16 or 17 years old, online jail records show.
The warrant states Neely and a girl, who is listed as a former student, were in a two-year relationship and had sex. According to the warrant, Neely gave her money to get an abortion after learning she was pregnant.
A relative who is watching over the girl told News4Jax on Wednesday that the girl is now 30 weeks pregnant. The relative said the family never knew about the alleged relationship until the girl announced she was pregnant.
The relative, who filed a police report, said Neely was the girl's seventh grade teacher and by the time she was in eighth grade, she was his aide who helped with grading papers. The relative said she was aware that Neely kept in touch with the girl after she moved up to high school. The relative also said she was under the impression Neely was offering the girl support since the girl went through some personal family tragedies, but had no idea it led to an inappropriate relationship.
“It is unbelievable and very sad," the relative said. "Her almost entire childhood has been robbed."
When asked how the girl is getting through all this, the relative said with "lots of prayers, counseling and help from family and friends."
Michelle Breeden, who just moved next door to the Orange Park home listed as Neely's address, was shocked by his arrest.
"I don't even know what to think," she said.
According to the Clay County school district, Neely, who was a teacher at Orange Park Junior High, was hired in 2013 after an extensive background check, which is required for all employees.
"Upon notification from law enforcement about the investigation, he was immediately removed from the school. Neely resigned at the end of last month," reads, in part, a statement from the school district. "The district would like to reassure families and staff that this employee had no history of incidents related to the current charges brought to light. The district will continue to take every step to protect students as safety is the top priority."
As of Wednesday, Neely remained in jail on $250,000 bond, according to online jail records.
