Long Island Art Teacher John Kennedy Arrested for Stalking Former Student He Allegedly Raped

Bay Shore High School teacher John Kennedy, 53, was arrested Thursday for stalking an 18-year-old former student who had previously accused him of rape. The arrest came days after the victim filed a lawsuit against the school district.

Bay Shore Teacher Arrested for Stalking Same Student He Allegedly Sexually Abused

A former art teacher at Bay Shore High School on Long Island has been arrested on stalking charges involving the same former student who previously accused him of rape, the NY Post Metro reports.

John Kennedy, 53, was taken into custody at his St. James home Thursday evening after the 18-year-old woman called 911 to report he had followed her from her Bay Shore residence to an undisclosed location in Selden earlier that morning.

"Suffolk County Police today arrested a high school teacher for stalking a former student that he had sexual affairs with previously," a spokesperson for the Suffolk County Police Department said.

Lawsuit Filed Days Earlier

The arrest came less than a week after the unnamed accuser filed a lawsuit against the Bay Shore school district, alleging that administrators had failed to protect her from what the court papers described as a "serial sexual predator" who routinely abused her inside his own classroom.

Prosecutors allege Kennedy had also driven past the teen's home on multiple occasions over the prior month and followed her on her way to college on Long Island — despite being told to leave her alone. His behavior caused her to fear for "her physical health and safety," according to prosecutors.

Earlier Investigation Found No Criminal Conduct

Kennedy was first identified by the NY Post in October after being placed on administrative leave over a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student, a senior in his art class at the time. The girl was at the legal age of consent in New York, and an initial Suffolk County police probe was closed after finding no evidence of criminal conduct.

Her attorney, Andrew Silvershein, argued that Kennedy's position of authority as a teacher made the relationship inherently exploitative, regardless of the age of consent. The lawsuit further alleged the school district had an obligation to protect the student from being groomed and ignored repeated warning signs.

Bay Shore Superintendent Steven Maloney has maintained that the district acted promptly once it learned of the allegations — placing Kennedy on administrative leave, banning him from campus, and notifying Suffolk County police immediately.

Not Guilty Plea, Court Date Set

Kennedy pleaded not guilty Friday to fourth-degree stalking, a misdemeanor. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim, and he is scheduled to appear in court again on September 16, according to court documents.

Third Misconduct Case at Bay Shore

The arrest marks the third high-profile incident of alleged sexual misconduct by Bay Shore school staff in recent years.

In November 2024, the district was ordered to pay $25 million in damages in a case involving Thomas Bernagozzi, a retired third-grade teacher accused of sexually abusing students over more than three decades. A Suffolk County jury found the district had ignored repeated warning signs about Bernagozzi, whose alleged abuse spanned from the 1970s through the early 2000s; more than 50 former students have since come forward.

Marcus Johnson, a teacher's assistant at the high school, was also charged with raping a 15-year-old student in 2017.

Kennedy was once described by former and current students as their "favorite" teacher. The NY Post was unable to reach him for comment.

Source: NY Post Metro