Florida Teacher Faces Serious Charges After Alleged Abuse of Homeless Student
A shocking case has emerged from Florida, where a high school teacher stands accused of sexually assaulting a homeless student she had taken into her home. The alleged victim, who viewed the teacher as a "mother figure," claims he endured months of abuse to maintain shelter and food.
Arrest and Allegations
Mackenzie McLean, 49, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of sexual misconduct with a student and delivery/distribution of a controlled substance. According to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, the student reported moving into McLean's residence in March 2024 after being kicked out of his own home.
The teen, who was 18 at the time of the alleged offenses, told investigators that the sexual assaults began shortly after he moved in and continued for months. In a probable cause affidavit obtained by People, he described the first incident occurring while playing video games with McLean and her daughter, who is about his age.
Details of the Alleged Abuse
The student claimed McLean gave him approximately 12 shots of gin, causing severe intoxication, before instructing her daughter to leave the bedroom and sexually assaulting him. He described another incident where McLean's daughter was present in the room.
The daughter eventually grew suspicious and asked what was happening, at which point the boy said he "pulled down the covers to expose Mackenzie McLean's head," according to the affidavit. The teen lived with McLean for nine months, including the final two months of his senior year when they slept in the same bed and she drove them to school daily.
Victim's Motivation and Additional Charges
When asked why he allowed the alleged abuse to continue, the victim told detectives that "he felt compelled to do it or he would no longer have a place to live or food to eat." He estimated being abused approximately five to ten times during the two months when McLean was still his teacher.
McLean, who taught economics at Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford near Orlando, also faces charges for allegedly giving the teen Adderall. Another student told deputies that when she was 16, McLean offered her alcohol and weed gummies during a visit to the teacher's house.
Legal Proceedings and School Response
The second-degree felony charge McLean faces prohibits an "authority figure" from soliciting or engaging in "sexual conduct" with a student, regardless of age. A spokesperson for Seminole County Public Schools confirmed that McLean is on administrative leave pending investigation.
She remains in custody with her next court appearance scheduled for March 31. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities of homeless students and the ethical responsibilities of educators in positions of trust.
