US: Mother Uses Tracking App to Catch Son Having Sex with Biology Teacher

A high school teacher in the US state of North Carolina was arrested on allegations of sexually abusing an 18-year-old student. The 26-year-old biology teacher from South Mecklenburg High School was arrested and charged with a felony for having “sexual activity with a student”.

“On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, it was discovered that Ms. Neufeld, a teacher at South Mecklenburg High School, and an 18-year-old male student at South Mecklenburg High School had engaged in sexual activity in the 5300 block of Closeburn Road,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a news release.

Notably, the teacher was caught by the mother of the student in question. The mother of the unnamed student was worried about her son’s absence from rugby practice and made use of the controversial tracking app to locate him. Using Life360 app, the mother found her son at a local neighbourhood park.

Disturbed by what she witnessed, the mother documented the scene, capturing photos of the vehicle and its license plate, and reported the incident to authorities. According to The New York Post, the parent was already aware of rumours surrounding her son’s illicit ties and his absence from sports practice.

The report added that Cartaya-Neufeld, who taught students between ninth and twelfth grade at South Mecklenburg High School, had encounters with the teenager in her car, at his mother’s house, and at her residence. US media reports said that rumours of the affair circulated within the school for months before the arrest.

After the incident came to light, the school’s principal shared a message with families at the school which said that the school takes “this matter seriously.” “We share your concerns regarding this situation,” the message said, according to local outlet WCNC. “The safety and security of our students and staff is of the utmost importance to us all, and while this is a troubling situation, it is being managed by law enforcement.”