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A Florida elementary school teacher is under investigation after he was allegedly caught telling a 5th-grade student, “I truly love you” in a creepy handwritten letter, according to police and reports.
Jarrett Williams, a 5th-grade teacher at BD Gullett Elementary School in Bradenton, resigned from his position on April 23, just weeks after the student’s mother discovered the sickening two-page love letter the educator wrote to her 11-year-old daughter, according to the Manatee County School District.
The lengthy letter, provided to WFLA, showed that Williams repeatedly professed his affection to the minor, with him initially apologizing for putting “slime all over” the student and making her “upset” after assuming they “could have some fun together.”
“You know I truly love you and no matter what, that will never change,” the unsettling note said.
“I really love being your teacher and more importantly, I love how close we have gotten this year.”
The inappropriate letter, which was signed “Your favorite teacher ‘only because I have to be’,” also encouraged the young girl to keep their correspondence a secret.
Ann Mitchell, the student’s alarmed mother, accused the teacher of “serious and egregious misconduct” against her daughter and other students at Tuesday’s school board meeting, where the instructor’s resignation was approved.
“This male 5th-grade teacher led my 11-year-old daughter into his classroom and spent 45 minutes alone with her while the rest of the students went to the library for their specials on Valentine’s Day,” she told the board, ABC 7 reported.
“Where is the accountability? She has nightmares and wakes up having cried in her sleep. This teacher stole a piece of her innocence.”
Mitchell reported the concerning note to authorities and school officials on March 9. Williams was then reassigned to a non-instruction facility away from children the next day as the district opened an internal probe, a spokesperson for the school district told The Post Thursday.
The allegations were also reported to the Florida Department of Education.
“His resignation was placed on the agenda for the very next school board meeting, Tuesday, April 29th, for personnel action,” the district said in a statement.
“After public comment and board discussion, the school board approved the resignation so that Mr. Williams’ separation from the district was complete. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigation remains open, and the district will continue to fully cooperate with that investigation.”
Deputies told The Post a harassment charge, as it relates to bullying, is forthcoming against Williams.
The investigation is ongoing.
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