Police say the grooming began when he entered high school, with the pair exchanging personal messages outside school hours that gradually became inappropriate
A teacher accused of confessing her love to a teenage pupil and telling him “I’ve always wanted to kiss you” has been arrested over an alleged years-long sexual relationship with the boy. Ciara Picard, 39, is facing five counts of second-degree sexual assault.
The charges are detailed in an unsealed arrest warrant, which outlines allegations that Picard groomed and repeatedly abused a student who is now 25.
According to the warrant, Picard first met the boy when he was 13 and she was his music teacher at Maloney High School in Meriden, Connecticut, in the US.
Police say the grooming began when he entered high school, with the pair exchanging personal messages outside school hours that gradually became frequent and inappropriate.
The victim told investigators the relationship became sexual during his junior year. Officers say Picard showered the teenager with dinners and gifts and sent sexually explicit messages and photographs.
One message reviewed by police outlined “how bad she wanted” the victim and explained what acts she wanted to perform.
One incident described in the warrant concerns a trip to New York City for a concert, during which Picard is said to have told the 16-year-old “I’ve always wanted to kiss you”, before initiating their first kiss.
Police also allege she visited his home after school when his family was not present. Detectives questioned Picard in late August where she denied any wrongdoing, however she later admitted that she had “crossed the line” in her interactions with the victim.
She also reportedly admitted telling the student she loved him, describing the relationship as “not OK.”
According to NBC Connecticut, Picard surrendered to police on December 2, was then released on $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on the 16th of this month.
After the charges were made public,sSchool administrators attempted to reassure the community that their priority was always the safety of students and staff.
“Our first priority is always to assure the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” said Assistant Superintendent Louis Bronk, who said Picard had resigned from her role in August as the investigation intensified.
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