Twofold investigation starts in teacher sex case

Escambia instructor accused of having two-year affair with teenage student

Allegations that an Escambia High School teacher had sex with a student are under investigation by city and county law enforcement agencies.

Investigators with the Pensacola Police Department launched an investigation Friday into accusations that reading teacher Janelle Bird, 24, and a 16-year-old boy were involved in an affair that began two years ago.

"Our investigators were assigned to the case this morning," Escambia County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ted Roy said Monday.

The dual investigation by deputies and police will continue until it is determined who has jurisdiction over the case.

"The only thing that matters is where the alleged activity took place," Roy said.

Neither Pensacola Assistant Police Chief Chip Simmons nor Roy would speculate on how long the investigation could take.

Meanwhile, Escambia School District officials decided to postpone their own investigation.

"We don't want to do anything at this point to impede law enforcement's investigation," said Alan Scott, assistant superintendent for human resource services.

Scott suspended Bird the day after the allegations but did not seek information from her.

"Employees have rights, and we want to make sure she is afforded any rights she is legally entitled to before an investigation begins," Scott said.

The 16-year-old's aunt called school officials Thursday and said the relationship began two years ago when Bird was a science teacher at East Hill Christian School and the boy was a student. This is the teacher's first year at Escambia; the boy is at another school.