Bay Shore High School art teacher arrested for allegedly stalking former student he had sexual relationship with
John Kennedy, 53, an art teacher at the school, allegedly followed the 18-year-old former student from her house to Selden on Thursday morning.
More Stories
A Bay Shore High School art teacher was arrested Thursday for allegedly stalking a former student that he had a sexual affair with previously.
John Kennedy, 53, an art teacher at the school, allegedly followed the 18-year-old former student from her house to Selden on Thursday morning, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Police were called at about 10:40 a.m., and Kennedy was arrested at his home on Moriches Road in St. James at 4:10 p.m.
An investigation determined that Kennedy had a sexual relationship with the former student last year when she was a 17-year-old senior at the high school. According to police, Kennedy was seen driving by the victim's house multiple times over the past several weeks.
News 12 reported last month that a former student sued the Bay Shore School District, alleging that the district failed to protect her from sexual abuse by a teacher. The lawsuit, obtained by News 12, mentioned Kennedy by name, but he was not listed as a defendant.
When allegations first arose in October, the district said the teacher, who was not named at the time, was put on leave. After the lawsuit came to light, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven J. Maloney released a statement saying:
"The District is aware of the allegations raised in this lawsuit, and will not discuss the specific claims in pending litigation or personnel matters. "
News 12 reached out to the district for comment after Kennedy's arrest, but is waiting to hear back.
Kennedy was charged with stalking and will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct. He is expected to be arraigned Friday at First District Court in Central Islip.
Detectives are asking anyone with information or who believes they were a victim of Kennedy to call the Sixth Precinct Crime Unit at 631-854-8626.
