Oakland Park Teacher Accused Of 'Grooming' Teen For Sexual Relationship

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A teacher at Northeast High School in Oakland Park was arrested after being accused of "grooming" a teenage girl for a sexual relationship.

John Teti, 41, engaged in inappropriate activity with the 16-year-old girl, including vaping to get high, according to court documents.

The Sheriff's office said Grooming is a "common practice among pedophiles" who start relationships with children with "actions of favoritism to build trust."

Teti reportedly told the investigators that he had a "special relationship" with the teen and sent her text messages in the early morning "when he was lonely."

Broward County Public Schools issued this statement:

"On Thursday, January 31, the District's Special Investigate Unit delivered a letter of termination to this individual, who had been reassigned away from the school since early January 2019. The individual was then escorted from a District facility and immediately taken into custody by BSO."

During his first appearance in court, the prosecutor noticed Teti was not taking the situation 'seriously.'

He said, "...I'm even more concerned your honor I'm looking at Mr. Teti and he's rolling his eyes. I don't believe he takes this very seriously at all."

A judge denied Teti's attorney's request for a $7,500 bond, setting his bond at $50,000.

If released, he'll have to wear a GPS monitor and have no contact with the girl or any minor.