26-year-old Gabriela Neufeld, a science teacher from Charlotte, North Carolina, was taken into custody after accusations that she engaged in sexual activity with a student.
On Wednesday, Neufeld, a teacher at South Mecklenburg High School, was apprehended by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Court documents show that Neufeld and an 18-year-old student engaged in intercourse or sexual acts at least five times since October 18.
Neufeld has been charged with five counts of felony sexual activity with a student. On Thursday morning, she was freed on a $75,000 unsecured bond.
In court, Neufeld was supported by relatives and several students. Prosecutors had requested that the judge review the bond conditions since the victim’s mother believed that her son and the teacher may attempt to leave the vicinity together. This is because her son has discussed leaving their residence multiple times.
Prosecutors say that the mother learned about the inappropriate relationship after tracking her son to a parking lot, when he was supposed to be at rugby practice, the day before Thanksgiving. After tracking him down she found her son and the teacher having sex in a vehicle at a park.
The judge ruled that Neufeld has to be electronically monitored and can’t have any communication with the student she is accused of having sex with.
If she is found guilty, Neufeld could receive up to 47 months in prison.
On Nov. 29, Neufeld was placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation. It was later confirmed that she had resigned on the same day.
