WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsMiddle school teacher facing student sex charge

Middle school teacher facing student sex charge

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - An eighth-grade social studies teacher at St. James Middle School has been placed on leave Wednesday, pending an investigation by Horry County School District officials.

According to Horry County Police, Norbert Ryan, 32, of Myrtle Beach, was arrested Wednesday following an investigation stemming from allegations of a sexual relationship between Ryan and a female student at St. James Middle School.

Horry County Schools Superintendent Dr. Cindy Elsberry says the district first learned of the sexual allegations with the 13-year-old on Wednesday after the girl's parents contacted school officials. Following an investigation, Ryan was placed on administrative leave and was sent home.

When word spread of Ryan's arrest, many parents with students at St. James Middle School say they were shocked.

"It caught me off guard," said Eric Wilson, a parent. "It's funny that [WMBF News] came to the house and told me about it and I didn't get a mail out or a phone call."

The feeling was mutual among Ryan's students Thursday - both past and present.

"He was very nice," said Tyler Napolitano, who was under Ryan's instruction three years ago. "He helped kids out that needed help. He was just that kind of guy. Everyone's been talking about it - almost the whole day [Thursday]."

The 32-year-old was charged with second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and released from custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center after posting a court-ordered $40,000 bond.

Ryan remains on house arrest and will be tracked by authorities with a  GPS monitoring system.

Elsberry confirms each faculty and staff member in the Horry County School District must go through specialized training to understand what is and isn't appropriate behavior with students and in the classroom.

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