The Wellington Community High School math teacher was arrested in September after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student. UnderFlorida law, the age of consent is 18, and those who are 16 and 17 are able to consent only to a partner younger than 24.
Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office
The investigation started in December 2022, after flowers were sent to the victim’s place of work, according to the arrest affidavit, reportsLocal 10 News. The victim’s manager called the flower shop and requested to know the name of the sender, the outlet reports.
The manager called the Wellington principal, who contacted the teenager’s grandmother. The Palm Beach school district detective then initiated an investigation and notified the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, reportsThe Palm Beach Post.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
According to Local 10 News, the victim reached out to Maglio to warn him that her grandmother had been contacted. Maglio and the victim allegedly deleted all of their text messages.
The victim shared with the authorities that their relationship began once she started visiting his classroom after school, and they continued to communicate via social media. The teen told authorities that she and Maglio had sex “several times” at his apartment, and had also slept at his residence, reported Local 10 News.
Later, investigators set up a monitored call between the former teacher and the victim. During the call, Maglio allegedly claimed he was in love and told the victim, “I always saw you as a woman. I’m not a predator,” according to records, reportsCBS 12.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
