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It started with Instagram messages about homework, and after that, selfies. According to Bradenton police, that’s how a sexual relationship began between a teacher and one of her students.

Officers say the teacher, who is now in jail, was manipulative and tried to use others to cover for her.

The alleged abuse happened at G.T. Bray Park, out in the open, within view of soccer and baseball fields. Investigators say Kassandra Moore, 31, and one of her students would meet there and have sex.

“It seems like she was a very friendly teacher, liked by many of her students,” said Bradenton Police Department Capt. Brian Thiers.

Thiers said the teen was a student at The Broach School, a private school where Moore was teacher.


Police say they communicated after school hours, leading to Moore becoming friendly with the child. They exchanged messages on Instagram about schoolwork but then, investigators say the conversations took an inappropriate turn when Moore sent pictures of herself in lingerie and nude.

One message from Moore allegedly read, “I wanted to just grab you and kiss you, but I didn't want to make the first move and you reject me.”

“This is a person that has no business being involved with children whatsoever,” Thiers said. “To me it’s a predatory type person.”

According to a police report, the two had sex several times: In her car, at school, and out in the open at G.T. Bray Park.

Police say the relationship ended when another student told the principal what was happening.

When detectives approached Moore, they say she tried to get another teacher to cover for her and asked a former student how to delete messages and images from another person's locked phone.

Bradenton police are trying to figure out if Moore has had inappropriate relationships with other students.

“Right now we have one victim. I’d like to think that’s the only victim, but we don’t know,” Thiers said.

The Broach School issued a statement to FOX 13 News, saying "Our students and families are our top priority, and we are deeply saddened by these allegations. Once we were notified of the allegations, we immediately reported them to the appropriate authorities and the teacher was terminated. All employees of CES are thoroughly vetted and complete a thorough FDLE background screening prior to employment. We take these allegations very seriously and are doing everything we can to facilitate the investigation. In order to protect the privacy of our students and their families and to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time."

Moore faces four counts of lewd and lascivious battery and one count of transmission of harmful material to a minor. Anyone with additional information is urged to call Bradenton police.