Florida police have arrested a teacher who allegedly had sex with her student after he found her crying in her classroom.
Erika Mattson, 36, was charged by the Panama City Police Department with a single felony count of authority figure engaging in sexual conduct with a student, after the student in question claimed they began a ‘sexual and romantic relationship’ in May 2023.
An affidavit filed by cops read: ‘The victim stated that the relationship began after he saw [Mattson] crying in her classroom and approached her.’
While the student was 18 at the time of the alleged relationship, he was attending the high school of the Kaleidoscope School of Discovery in Panama City, where she worked – on top of this, Mattson was the student’s middle school teacher some years prior.
The student, who has not been identified, told police that he and the teacher began messaging each other and started ‘flirting’ while he was still a student, which culminated in the pair agreeing to go on a date.
He said that while they had agreed to go to a local cinema, they ‘never made it inside’, and instead ‘talked and made out.’
Days later, Mattson invited him to her home and they had sex, according to the affidavit.
The document read: ‘The victim could not advise exactly how many times the two engaged in sexual activity while he was still enrolled in school but advised it happened numerous times before he graduated.’
Erika Mattson (pictured) was charged by the Panama City Police Department with a single felony count of authority figure engaging in sexual conduct with a student
The teacher was taken to Bay City Jail last week, and subsequently released after posting a $25,000 bond
She taught at the Kaleidoscope School of Discovery in Panama City, Florida
On top of his claims, the student provided cops with pictures of himself with his teacher which included ‘shirtless photos of the victim with [Mattson] embracing him’ as well as ‘kissing,’ according to the affidavit.
She was taken to Bay City Jail last week, and subsequently released after posting a $25,000 bond.
She is set to appear again in court on May 15 to be arraigned.
Mattson is reportedly choosing to represent herself in her case.
