A former teacher at a North Carolina Christian academy has been arrested for having an appropriate relationship with a student.
Tyler Melton, 26, is charged with felony sex acts with a student and indecent liberties with a student. He surrendered to police after they obtained warrants or his arrest and is being held on a $10,000 bond, according to the Cornelius Police Department.
Dr. Matthew Kerlin, head of Southlake Christian Academy, said in a statement that Melton resigned from the school on April 29, less than a day after the school placed him on leave and began an investigation into reports that he had been meeting off campus with a high school student, WBT reported.
The investigation continued over the summer, in conjunction with law enforcement, and in July, the school “received specific information suggested that an inappropriate relationship had occurred.” Kerlin said the school handed over its information to the Cornelius Police Department.
“Obviously, we are deeply disappointed by these events,” Kerlin wrote. “We take with utmost seriousness the well-being of our students. All employees go through an extensive vetting process and comprehensive background check. We train our teachers on appropriate boundaries with students and expect them to uphold those standards on and off campus.”
No further information was released.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Tyler Melton/Cornelius Police Department]
