Suffolk County police say Bay Shore High School art teacher stalked former student

Suffolk County police arrested and charged a Bay Shore High School art teacher Thursday for allegedly stalking a former student with whom he previously had "sexual affairs," the department said.

John Kennedy, 53, of St. James, allegedly followed the female former student, now 18, on Thursday morning from her home to a destination in Selden, where she called 911, Suffolk police said in a news release. Officers arrested Kennedy at his home at 4:10 p.m.

Kennedy is at the center of a lawsuit filed by a former Bay Shore High School student alleging the school district failed to protect her from his sexual advances, Newsday previously reported. The suit alleges Kennedy publicly massaged her neck, stroked her hair, dismissed other students to get the girl alone and engaged in more serious sexually abusive behavior from June to October 2025. The victim's mother began meeting with school officials regarding Kennedy's alleged behavior in September 2025.

A Suffolk police spokesperson could not confirm whether the woman Kennedy allegedly stalked is the same woman who anonymously filed the lawsuit in State Supreme Court in Suffolk County.

The latest investigation determined that Kennedy had driven by the alleged stalking victim's house several times in recent weeks, said the police, adding he had a "sexual relationship" with her last year, when she was a 17-year-old senior.

Kennedy faces a charge of fourth-degree stalking, according to the release. He will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct in Selden and arraigned Friday at First District Court in Central Islip.

He was placed on administrative leave in October 2025 after the district first learned of the allegations related to the lawsuit, Newsday reported.

"This evening, we were informed by the Suffolk County Police Department that an employee of the Bay Shore School District was arrested today," said Bay Shore Superintendent Steven J. Maloney in a statement emailed to Newsday. "We have also been informed that the incidents did not occur on District property. …  As this is a law enforcement matter, the District is not able to provide further information."

Detectives ask anyone with information to call the Sixth Precinct Crime Unit at 631-854-8626.