Florida teacher arrested for alleged sexual activity with student

Heather Mashburn-Smith, a 37-year-old English teacher at Port Charlotte High School in Florida, has been arrested and charged with a first-degree felony for unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The charges were upgraded from a second-degree felony due to her role as an educator and her post-Miranda confession to detectives.

According to arrest affidavits and bodycam footage, the investigation began after a tip was sent via a parent-teacher communication app. Investigators allege that Mashburn-Smith engaged in sexual encounters with a 17-year-old student over a period of several weeks. Bodycam video shows Mashburn-Smith walking deputies through her classroom, pointing out specific locations where the alleged acts occurred.

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell stated that Mashburn-Smith “preyed on one of the people she was entrusted to protect.” Superintendent Mark Vianello confirmed that the teacher has been placed on administrative leave, emphasizing that the school district will not tolerate actions that compromise student safety. Mashburn-Smith faces a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years.