Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Conduct at St. Augustine Beach

Parents expressing concern over safety during a school-sponsored beach event.

News Summary

Christopher Ford, a teacher from Bartram Trail High School, was arrested for alleged inappropriate conduct involving minors at St. Augustine Beach. Complaints from parents reported alarming behavior near children swimming in the ocean, leading to his placement on paid leave as an investigation unfolds. The incident raises concerns about student safety and the effectiveness of oversight policies at the school, as Ford is the third employee from Bartram Trail to face serious allegations in recent years. Community members are calling for comprehensive measures to protect students.

St. Augustine Beach Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Conduct

A St. Johns County school teacher, Christopher Ford, age 29, has been arrested on allegations of inappropriate conduct involving minors at St. Augustine Beach. Ford, a teacher at Bartram Trail High School, was taken into custody by the St. Augustine Beach Police Department on Saturday following multiple complaints from concerned parents about his behavior near children swimming in the ocean.

The complaints reported that Ford was allegedly caught touching himself inappropriately in close proximity to young girls, specifically a group of minors aged 10 to 12. Witnesses described alarming incidents where Ford approached girls and positioned himself in a way that waves pushed children into him. Parents voiced their worries about the safety of their children, particularly in a school environment, following these incidents.

Ford has since been placed on paid leave by the St. Johns County Schools district while the police investigation continues. He faces potential termination, with the School Superintendent planning to recommend his firing at the upcoming school board meeting scheduled for September 9th.

Incident Details and Witness Accounts

The police were first alerted to Ford’s behavior through a 911 call, which described him as allegedly masturbating near a group of minors. Investigating officers conducted interviews with multiple witnesses, including a chaperone from North Carolina and various parents who observed Ford’s actions. Reports indicated that Ford was seen “lingering” around a group of foreign exchange students and positioning himself as waves approached, seemingly trying to get closer to the girls.

Despite the testimony from witnesses detailing Ford’s alleged behavior, he has denied the allegations, maintaining that nothing inappropriate occurred and suggesting that it was a coincidence that onlookers identified him. He insisted that he had never placed his hands in his shorts on that day.

Previous Incidents at Bartram Trail High School

The situation surrounding Ford is not isolated. He is the third employee from Bartram Trail High School to be arrested in the past three years for serious offenses. In July 2023, another teacher from the same school, Lucas Worsham, was arrested for soliciting prostitution online. Furthermore, in 2022, the former coach at Bartram High, Tylar Reagan, was arrested for sexually assaulting students and was later found guilty in 2023.

The recurring incidents have raised significant concerns about the safety and security of students at the school, leading parents and community members to question the effectiveness of the school’s oversight policies and the vetting process for its employees.

Community Reaction

Parents and members of the St. Johns County community are expressing their alarm over the recent events. One parent shared their deep concern about the implications these actions have on the safety of children, emphasizing that schools should be a sanctuary for learning and personal development rather than a source of fear.

As the investigation into Ford’s behavior continues, the community awaits further action from school district officials and law enforcement in light of these serious allegations. With the upcoming school board meeting, many are hopeful for comprehensive measures that will ensure the safety and well-being of all students within St. Johns County education facilities.