High school lunch lady accused of sending sexual photos to student

A cafeteria worker at a high school in Florida is accused of sending sexually explicit images to a student.

Ashley Pearce, a 39-year-old cafeteria worker at Merritt Island High School, was arrested Monday by Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies.

The student who received the photos reported the incident to sheriff’s deputies, beginning their investigation into Pearce.

She is accused of transmitting information harmful to a minor via an electronic device Florida today.

In addition to her work in the high school cafeteria, Pearce is also an after-school care provider at Andersen Elementary School. She has been suspended from both positions.

Ashely Pearce, 39, was arrested in Brevard County, Florida, after allegedly sending sexually explicit images to a Merritt Island High School student. Pearce was employed as a cafeteria worker at the school at the time of the alleged incident (Brevard County Sheriff's Office) — Ashely Pearce, 39, was arrested in Brevard County, Florida, after allegedly sending sexually explicit images to a Merritt Island High School student. Pearce was employed as a cafeteria worker at the school at the time of the alleged incident (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators said Pearce gave her social media information to a student and instructed them to follow her. Once the student did so, the two began sending direct messages to each other. The student eventually blocked Pearce after she allegedly sent them an image of her breasts and reported the interaction to police.

Pearce was arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex on a $2,500 bond. Her trial date has not yet been set.

School officials shared a message with parents on Monday informing them of the arrest.

“Police have arrested a female food service employee for sending inappropriate photos to an underage male student at Merritt Island High School. Brevard Public Schools is cooperating fully with the Brevard County Sheriff’s (BCSO) in their investigation of this incident,” the school said in the statement. “We understand how disturbing this news can be for our community. The safety and well-being of the students at our school are always our top priority. This is an active and ongoing police investigation.”

Police are reportedly still investigating whether there are any other alleged victims.