A Florida dance teacher has been arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old she met through the Coral Springs studio she manages, officials said Sunday.
Detectives arrested Jennifer Efre Deberry, a 30-year-old instructor and manager at Dance Effect Studio, after an 8-month investigation that uncovered 117 pages of text messages between Deberry and the victim detailing their sexual relationship, police said. She was charged with felony lewd and lascivious battery and taken into custody Friday, Coral Springs Police said.
"This child is under 16 years of age and she's 30 years old and taking advantage of that role of being an authoritative figure or a grownup," said Sgt. Carla Kmiotek with the Coral Springs Police Department.
No one answered the door at Deberry's apartment when NBC 6 went there Monday.
Deberry first met the male victim at the dance studio when he was 13 years old, according to an arrest report. The sexual relationship began when he turned 15, sometime in September of 2012, and lasted until Jan. 26, 2013, police said.
The last time the two were together sexually, they spent more than five hours alone together at Deberry's house in Coral Springs, the report said. Messages exchanged through texts, Facebook and e-mail accounts made it "very evident they were involved in some kind of relationship," Kmiotek said.
"Oh my love its so amazing that today was so incredible for you ;D It really was very incredible for me too <3 It was so perfect and amazing and making love with you was just the greatest feeling in the whole world <3 :D XOXO," read one of the texts, according to the arrest report.
Deberry, who is married, also allegedly sent the minor messages about building a future together.
"I hope one day I will be their daughter-in-law. I can't believe how I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I'm sure of it <3 I love you more than anything and I have loved you for a long time."
Deberry was released on $10,000 bond following her arrest.
Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Coral Springs Detective Lisajo Smith at 954-346-1301.
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