A 42-year-old high school teacher in Broward County was arrested Thursday, two weeks after police learned that he had a romantic relationship with an adult student at his school.
Plantation Police on Dec. 22 learned that Christopher George Santanelli, a teacher at South Plantation High School, had given gifts to the student, and the two had exchanged text messages, the police department said in a statement Thursday night.
Santanelli also at some point in the inappropriate relationship had hugged and kissed the student, according to the police department. The student did not report any other incidents with the teacher.
Santanelli was booked into the Broward Main Jail and remained there Thursday night. He is facing one count of an authority figure engaged in a romantic relationship with a student.
Christopher George Santanelli, 42, a teacher at South Plantation High School, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (Broward Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy)
Court records and attorney information were not available. The police department did not specify what subject he teaches.
Principal Alexandra Ries sent a message to parents the afternoon of the arrest without identifying Santanelli. Ries said the teacher was arrested before classes started and has been reassigned away from campus and students while the case is pending.
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