CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (Warning: Story contains graphic details or images)
A teacher at South Mecklenburg High School has been arrested and charged with felony sexual activity with a student by teacher. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed on Friday morning that she had resigned, and had been suspended with pay on Nov. 29, prior to her resignation.
Gabriela Neufeld is accused of having sexual activity with an 18-year-old South Mecklenburg HS student, according to police. Officials believe the two met up at Park Road Park in Charlotte's Closeburn-Glenkirk neighborhood. Police said this was discovered on Nov. 29, and she was arrested.
Neufeld was held at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center until being released on bond.
Neufeld is originally from Boone, North Carolina, and graduated from Appalachian State University. She told the university earlier this year she was teaching biology and AP biology for ninth to twelfth grade students at the high school.
CMS shared the following message, which was sent to families:
"Good morning South Meck High School families.
This is Principal Marc Angerer with a message about a news story you may have seen regarding a South Meck teacher.
Although I cannot discuss personnel information, I wanted to inform you that we take this matter seriously. We share your concerns regarding this situation. 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.
Thank you for your support of South Meck High School."
Her first court appearance was Thursday.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
The psychology behind this incident
WCNC Charlotte spoke with Abby Moran, a clinical social worker and therapist with Safe Alliance in Charlotte about this crime. She said more reports of this type are coming out nationwide not because it's happening more often but because more people are getting comfortable talking about it.
Moran said data shows people are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone they know rather than a stranger.
“That is a really common way someone will start to make connection with somebody," Moran said.
She said at times, teachers can be a person a student looks up to. They can provide trust, stability and someone to lean on. However, she said, sometimes an authority figure can use tactics like threats, intimidation, isolation and emotional guilt to get what they want.
"When somebody can hold power and control over somebody, then there is a problem with consent," Moran said. “We need to trust people to trust their intuition, if something doesn’t feel good, say something. If something happens and you are uncomfortable, say something.”
What the law says
There are laws in the Carolinas about relationships between teachers and students, but there are a few differences depending on which state.
In North Carolina, it's illegal for a teacher or any school personnel to have a sexual relationship with any student if that teacher is four years older than the victim.
According to the law, in cases like this one, teachers, administrators or coaches can be charged with a felony, and it makes no difference whether the sexual activity was consensual or not.
However, there is an exception: If the student and teacher are lawfully married to each other.
In South Carolina, the law is a little different.
If a teacher or school personnel engages in sexual activity with a student who is under 18 years old, they can charged with a felony.
However, if the student is an adult, meaning 18 years old or older, and if the sex is consensual, then the crime is bumped down to a misdemeanor.
As in North Carolina, this law does not apply if the student and teacher are married to each other.
Resources
You deserve to be safe. No one has the right to abuse you or someone you know. Child abuse is when someone, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm, or risk of serious harm to a child. There are different types of abuse:
- Physical abuse is when a parent or caregiver injures or hurts a child, and it was not an accident
- Sexual abuse occurs when an adult uses a child for sexual purposes or involves a child in sexual acts. It also includes when a child who is older or more powerful uses another child for sexual acts. You should never be touched by an adult in areas normally covered by underwear except for the purposes of a medical exam by a medical professional
- When a parent or caregiver causes harm to a child’s mental or emotional wellbeing, it is considered emotional abuse. While a single incident may be abuse, most often emotional abuse happens often enough to cause emotional harm and fear over time
- Child neglect is when a parent or caregiver does not provide the care, supervision, affection and support needed for a child’s health, safety and well-being
It’s not your fault if you are being treated this way. It is wrong that you are suffering this pain, fear or sadness. You may also want to talk to a trusted adult like a parent, teacher, counselor, social worker, nurse or other school staff if this is happening. Some people scare or threaten children so that they won’t tell. If any of these have happened to you or a friend, you do not have to handle this alone. There are people who care about you and want to help. When you tell someone, you can get the help you need to stop the abuse or neglect.
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, help organizations improve their sexual assault prevention and response programs, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. To contact them if you are experiencing something like this is to call 1-800-656-4673.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot due to the nature of the crime.
VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit VERIFY.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.