Deputies: High school teacher had sex with teen at ballfields

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- (WJXT) -- An Oakleaf High School history teacher had sex with a teenage girl in her car at baseball fields across from the school grounds, according to a Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Francesco Franzese, 25, has been charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

According to a district spokeswoman, Franzese has been suspended pending the outcome of the Clay County Sheriff's Office investigation.

“We are saddened to address this allegation of inappropriate behavior involving a teacher and a minor,” Superintendent Addison Davis said in a prepared statement. “As superintendent, this type of behavior is not and will not be tolerated. I want to reassure all parents and guardians that at the end of a thorough investigation, if founded, appropriate action will be taken against the employee. It is imperative that every member in the community knows we take this type of allegation seriously and will continue to ensure that the safety of our students is our greatest priority.”

Franzese, who lives in Hilliard, was arrested Tuesday.

According to the arrest report, the father of the girl, who is a student at Oakleaf High, saw text messages between Franzese and his daughter that he thought were inappropriate and reported it to the sheriff's office.

The girl agreed to speak with investigators and admitted she had been in a relationship with Franzese over the summer and that they had sex "a handful of times," the arrest report said.