Former Florida Teacher Allegedly Used Google Doc To Groom Student; Faces Sex-Charges

Former Teacher Arrested After Alleged Grooming Through Shared Google Doc

A 26-year-old former science teacher in Palm Beach County, Florida, has been arrested after investigators say he used a shared Google Document to secretly communicate with a student before engaging in sexual activity with her at school and at his apartment, according to a Palm Beach County arrest affidavit.

Who Is Accused: Authorities identified the suspect as Elias Gordon Farley, a former teacher at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton. Farley was arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center on Dec. 4 and is being held on $500,000 bond.

Allegations And Timeline

According to the affidavit, the student told detectives the interactions began as casual conversations during the previous school year. Over the summer, investigators say Farley created a shared Google Doc in which he and the student exchanged messages. The document allegedly later contained sexually explicit entries describing encounters and plans to meet in private.

Per the affidavit, the relationship reportedly turned physical in mid-September when Farley allegedly touched the student beneath her clothing in his office. The student told detectives the encounters continued for weeks in both his office and a classroom. By late September and into October, she said sexual acts — including oral sex and, on at least one occasion, intercourse — occurred on campus in a classroom.

The student also told deputies she visited Farley’s apartment twice in early November after recognizing details he had mentioned about the unit’s location and layout. She reported multiple sexual encounters during those visits.

Evidence Cited By Investigators

Detectives executed a search warrant at Farley’s residence and reported finding bedding, condom wrappers and furniture consistent with the student’s description. Farley’s roommate told investigators he had not been home on the dates the student said she visited.

Investigators also reviewed school surveillance video that appears to show Farley and the student entering his office together on Nov. 7 and later entering a classroom where they remained for about an hour.

Reporting, School Response, And Charges

The situation came to light after the student confided in an art teacher on Nov. 14 and showed bruises and bite marks she said came from Farley. School administrators were notified the next day; the school suspended Farley immediately and referred the matter to child welfare authorities. The affidavit indicates the student reported the alleged abuse to law enforcement on Nov. 18.

Farley declined to speak with detectives after being read his Miranda rights, according to the affidavit. He faces charges that include unlawful sexual activity with a minor and an offense against a student by an authority figure. The investigation is ongoing.

School Statement

Donna Klein Jewish Academy issued a statement saying it is cooperating fully with investigators and called the situation "a difficult time for all of us at Donna Klein." The school said it is working with families, faculty and staff to provide support, that its priority is maintaining a safe and compassionate educational environment, and that Farley is no longer employed there. The school declined to release further details out of respect for community privacy.

Authorities Request Tips: Anyone with information is asked to contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office at 561-688-3000.