FORT MYERS, Fla. — Late Wednesday, a police report revealed disturbing new information about the alleged relationship between a paraprofessional at a school in the Dunbar community of Fort Myers, and a 12-year-old student.
Lauren King, 32, worked as an Instruction Support Employee at Royal Palm Exceptional Center in Fort Myers, and as of March 7, she was already facing two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fort Myers paraprofessional accused of sexual battery on a student
In a 28-page report, it says King started texting the student January 28, 2024. The report says she gave him her number, along with some key instructions: delete the text messages and she sent them.
During those messages, police say she sent sexually explicit photos and videos of herself.
As time passed, King allegedly ask the student what he wanted for his birthday, and said she would bring him money.
Though the date is not detailed in the report, it says King later met the student at an apartment complex and had sex with the student in the back of the car.
Police say she told him not to tell anyone and bribed him. Detectives say King bought the child's silence by sending the boy $235 for his birthday, food and a hoodie. She also reportedly bought him an iPhone, "Beats" headphones and a computer.
The report says King tried to make the boy jealous, telling him she was doing other sexual activities with other students.
None of the allegations came to light until the boy's family members reported it to Fort Myers Police on March 3. He told them what happened, but police say a family member also called King after finding the boy texting her.
King reportedly told the family to give her a week and "she would quit and leave the area."
When investigators talked to the student, he said King inappropriately touched him in the classroom, and she allegedly told the student they would both get in trouble if anyone found out.
She also said, according to the report, "if they ever go through your phone, you're getting arrested."
Judge: More victims may be involved with Fort Myers teacher charged with sex crimes
Police arrested King on March 7. She is expected to be back in court on April 8.
