A teacher in Florida is facing serious allegations after reportedly engaging in repeated sexual contact with a student who moved into her home. The teacher, Mackenzie McLean, 49, an economics instructor at Crooms Academy in Sanford, was arrested Tuesday on two counts of sexual battery by authority and a charge of distributing a controlled substance.
The student, an upperclassman and friend of McLean’s daughter, had been kicked out of his home and relocated to McLean’s residence around March 2024, according to the arrest affidavit.
The student recounted an incident where, while playing video games with McLean and her daughter, he was given 12 shots of gin and ended up in a heavily intoxicated state. At that point, McLean allegedly sent her daughter out of the room before engaging in sexual acts with the student.
He described the duration of the incidents as brief but mentioned that he felt compelled to continue due to fears of losing housing and basic needs if he refused. Living at McLean’s home for nine months, he estimated being sexually assaulted five to ten times during a two-month span when she taught him.
During a report to authorities, the student appeared emotional and was seen crying. He also noted that he had a friend who spent time at McLean’s home during sleepovers and had also been provided alcohol and Adderall.
A friend corroborated claims that McLean had invited the student to share her bed, although he didn’t witness the acts firsthand until later.
Text exchanges between McLean and the student indicated that she was aware the relationship was inappropriate, stating in one message that she deliberately chose not to initiate contact to avoid influencing the student’s emotions.
Following her arrest, McLean was placed on administrative leave after nearly 25 years with the school district. A spokesperson emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, asserting their commitment to student safety and a promise to address such behavior swiftly. McLean is currently being held on a $35,000 bail, with her next court date set for March 31st.
