Charlotte County teacher arrested, accused of hiding missing teen

Reporter: Claire Galt Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
Kelly Simpson
Kelly Simpson, 31. (Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)

A Charlotte County teacher has been arrested for concealing a missing teen inside her Port Charlotte home.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says it has arrested Kelly Simpson, 31, for interfering with the custody of a minor.

Deputies say an investigation into a child who was reported missing by their parents on August 12 led them to Simpson’s home.

The sheriff’s office says Simpson picked up the minor from an unknown location and hid him in her home. They say she knew that he had been reported missing and endangered.

A report from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says Simpson lied to them about the teen being in her home when he should have been at school.

Charlotte County Public Schools released the following statement about the arrest:

Charlotte County Public Schools takes an incident such as this very seriously.
The safety, protection and well-being of our students is a top priority.
The teacher arrested was employed at Charlotte High School and has been placed on Administrative Leave.
Charlotte County Public Schools can not comment on the arrest as there is an ongoing investigation by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office says they are still investigating the incident and asks anyone with information to call 941-639-2101.

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