Bartram Trail teacher accused of lewd behavior near children

A Bartram Trail High School teacher has been charged with lewd or lascivious behavior after a incident Saturday involving children in the ocean off St. Augustine Beach.

History teacher Christopher Ford, 29, of St. Augustine, approached young girls in the surf and began touching himself inappropriately as he knelt down, a police report said.

Ford then moved near a second group of girls and “intentionally placed himself” where the waves pushed one child into him multiple times, the report said.

A parent and others saw Ford in the water and moved the girls away before police were called.

Ford denied that anything inappropriate happened, his arrest report says.

Article continues below

More from Jax Today

Beaver Street Fisheries in Jax joins FDA shrimp recall

Investment in early learning may pay dividends for Duval’s literacy woes

Columbia scientist approved as interim president at UF

Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.

Ford was placed on paid disciplinary leave, and the St. Johns County School Board will vote next week on whether to terminate him. He has 15 days to request a hearing.

The incident also will be reported to the Florida Department of Education’s office of professional practices.

Ford was released from custody on $50,000 bail, the Sheriff’s Office says.

Ford was a boys golf coach at the Northwest St. Johns County high school, where he has been since 2021, district officials said.