Lighthouse Christian School Grapples with Fallout of Teacher’s Arrest on Sexual Misconduct Charges with Special Needs Student

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The community of Jacksonville is grappling with shock and concern after Angela Stewart, a 53-year-old teacher at Lighthouse Christian School, was arrested on multiple charges, including lewd and lascivious molestation on a minor. The disturbing incident involves a special needs student, raising serious questions about the safety and well-being of vulnerable students within educational institutions.

The arrest of Angela Stewart came after reports of alleged misconduct surfaced, prompting an investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Stewart, who had been employed at Lighthouse Christian School, faced charges including authority figure soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student, lewd and lascivious behavior with a person aged 12 to 16, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

The troubling situation unfolded when the parents of the special needs student, along with a concerned neighbor, decided to take matters into their own hands. They followed Stewart and the girl to a local park and discovered them together in Stewart’s car. Deeply disturbed by their findings, they immediately alerted the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, providing crucial evidence that initiated the investigation.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement authorities obtained screenshots of inappropriate conversations between Angela Stewart and the student, revealing a pattern of misconduct dating back to November 2022. The evidence further reinforced the seriousness of the charges brought against Stewart and raised concerns about the extent of the alleged abuse.

The administration of Lighthouse Christian School expressed profound shock and sadness upon learning about the investigation. Esther Skinner, a representative of the school, issued a statement addressing the incident. According to the statement, the school was initially notified in late April by the Florida State Department of Children and Families about an anonymous complaint regarding potential abuse suffered by a student at home. To their dismay, school officials discovered that the same student had reached out to Angela Stewart through Facebook messenger, seeking help due to alleged abuse by her mother.

Regrettably, instead of following proper protocols and reporting the situation to the appropriate authorities, Stewart took matters into her own hands. Against the school’s strict policies regarding after-hours contact with students, she responded to the student’s plea for help by picking her up from a nearby park. School officials promptly reprimanded Stewart for her inappropriate actions, emphasizing that they were completely out of line. Despite the warning, Stewart adamantly maintained her innocence, asserting that she had acted with good intentions and only wanted to assist the student.

However, matters took a turn for the worse when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office informed Lighthouse Christian School of the criminal investigation against Stewart. In light of these developments, the school discreetly sent her home and promptly notified law enforcement officials. Stewart was subsequently taken into custody and is currently being held with a bond set at $325,012.

The arrest of Angela Stewart has left the Lighthouse Christian School community reeling. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the paramount importance of maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students, especially those who may be more vulnerable due to their special needs. Educational institutions have a profound responsibility to uphold stringent policies and procedures, ensuring the well-being and protection of their students.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community and school officials remain steadfast in their commitment to supporting the affected students and their families. The incident highlights the need for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. By reinforcing safeguards and implementing comprehensive training programs, educational institutions can create an environment where students are protected from any form of misconduct.

Arrest Information

Booking Number: 2023012385