A Broward County high school teacher who was arrested last week after police learned that he had a romantic relationship with an adult student had given the student gifts, written her an affectionate note about watching her sleep and kissed her twice, according to police.
Christopher George Santanelli, 42, a chorus teacher at South Plantation High School, is facing one count of an authority figure engaged in a romantic relationship with a student.
Plantation Police learned of the relationship with the 18-year-old student last month. She had been in Santanelli’s chorus program throughout her four years at the school, and their relationship changed once she turned 18. He started to “flirt” with her, which she reciprocated, the student told police, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Santanelli gave her birthday and graduation gifts, including a pin from Disney’s Epcot in 2024 that was given to teachers who perform in the chorus at the theme park, the affidavit said. He also gave her a rose on Valentine’s Day.
The student would confide in Santanelli about problems at home, and he would “comfort” her by “rubbing (her) back,” the affidavit said. The teacher also confided in her about problems with his family.
On one occasion, the student sat in Santanelli’s lap in the library, and he rubbed her back. They kissed twice, and the student told him after the second time that she did not want to do that.
Christopher George Santanelli, 42, a chorus teacher at South Plantation High School, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (Broward Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy)
“Sorry I thought that’s what you wanted,” the teacher allegedly replied, according to the student’s statement included in the affidavit.
Santanelli wrote the student a note, which she gave to police.
“The note started off, ‘As I watch you sleep for the last tme (time),” according to the affidavit. The student explained she often took naps in his classroom.
Santanelli wrote that he loved the student and that he would miss her, the affidavit said. She told police the relationship was never sexual but the two had discussed sex “either to each other or about each other’s partners.”
The student told police Santanelli said “he wished that things were different and that he was younger,” the affidavit said.
Santanelli in an interview with police said he gave the student gifts and wrote the note. He declined to continue the interview once asked about kissing the student, according to the affidavit. He was arrested at the school.
Principal Alexandra Ries sent a message to parents the afternoon of the arrest without identifying Santanelli. Ries said the teacher was arrested before classes started and has been reassigned away from campus and students while the case is pending.