A Palm Beach County teacher at Grove Park Elementary and local babysitter, Xavier Alexander, was arrested on Friday, April 2, 2021, on charges of solicitation of a minor and traveling to meet a minor. He was later charged with felony sexual battery on children whom he was responsible for babysitting.
Xavier Alexander, age 27, has been a fourth-grade teacher at Grove Park Elementary School in Palm Beach Gardens since 2017. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office state that he has been accused of purchasing a box of condoms with the intention of having a “sexual encounter” with a 2-year-old girl.
According to the Probably Cause Affidavit released by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation started when a 39-year-old father of a two-year-old child posted an ad on Craigslist on March 26, 2021, asking for someone to share and split the cost of a motel room during their transition period while moving. The man reportedly mentioned in the ad had a two-year-old daughter and requested that no “weirdos” or drug users inquire about the offer.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Xavier Alexander responded to the ad through text message and asked, “Would I ever be alone with your daughter?” The father replied no, to which Alexander replied, “Ah well, I think ill go elsewhere good luck.”
The father contacted law enforcement immediately after the text exchange, and police began impersonating the father in messages to the unknown phone number. They told the messenger that he could be alone with the child if he paid for two nights at the motel, which would cost $200. Reports show the following conversation between Alexander and the undercover deputy, posing as the toddler’s father:
Deputy: “hey if I let you spend time with my daughter would you pay for the whole room?”
Alexander: “at this point is too late for tonight but totally tomorrow and I can do a couple days
Deputy: “your not gonna hurt her right? shes young
Alexander: “No i wont hurt her”
Deputy: “I just want to know what your plans are so i know”
Alexander: “Just spend time alone with her”
Deputy: “youll at least wear a condom right? I wanna know shes safe”
Alexander: “Yes i will”
According to the arrest report, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Operations Team then set up a sting operation at a Super 8 motel, located at 1255 Hypoluxo Road in Lantana, around 4:30 p.m. on April 1. When Alexander arrived at the motel, authorities took him into custody.
The arrest report stated that Xavier Alexander admitted replying to the ad on Craigslist in hopes it would be an opportunity for him to have a sexual encounter with the 2-year-old female. Investigators reported that Alexander had driven to a Mobil gas station across the street from the motel and had bought a box of condoms. Deputies later found the open box inside his vehicle, as well as one condom inside his shoe. The report also stated that Alexander told the investigators that he had a sexual addiction and that women, men, and bestiality no longer satisfied him, therefore, he wanted to meet a child for sex. The Sheriff’s Office said Alexander denied ever sexually touching a child but admitted that he had become sexually aroused while babysitting and grazing over their genitals.
During a court appearance on April 2, a judge said Alexander can’t “possess or use any electronic devices or access the Internet, can’t have any weapons, can’t contact the alleged victim, victim’s family, witnesses, or any minors under the age of 18, and can’t have any contact with schools or daycares.”
The Palm Beach County School District stated that the principal of Grove Park Elementary School had a letter from the district sent to Alexander in jail, notifying him that his employment at the school was terminated effective immediately.
The School District released a statement regarding Alexander’s arrest, saying they are “shocked and appalled by the nature of the crimes.” A spokesperson said the school district is “cooperating fully with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office,” adding that the alleged crimes did not occur on school property and did not involve district students.
Alexander has taught at several schools and also worked as a summer camp counselor in Palm Beach County. His personnel file shows Grove Park Elementary—where he was the after-school site director since 2017.
Xavier Alexander also worked at Seminole Trails Elementary in West Palm Beach from 2016-2017, Marsh Pointe Elementary in Palm Beach Gardens from 2014-2016, and as a substitute teacher across the Palm Beach County School District. His resume shows he also worked as a summer camp counselor in Palm Beach Gardens and in Jupiter. Alexander also worked as a nanny/babysitter for families of children with autism and mild cerebral palsy, a pool/kids club attendant for a hotel on Singer Island, and as an intern for Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens. Investigators said Xavier Alexander listed his babysitting services for hire on the the nanny website Care.com.
Meanwhile, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office says it has had “numerous calls” that detectives are now investigating to determine if there are other victims in this case.
It is expected that children will be safe from violence, bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse in educational settings. Teachers and babysitters are entrusted to facilitate learning and support the educational needs of their students. Someone who sexually violates young children has no place working with minors. Any business or non-profit in which such a crime is committed must take responsibility for failing to properly screen potential teachers and protect the children under their supervision.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse in schools, daycares, and other educational settings. If you or a loved one was sexually abused, raped, or sexually molested by a principal, teacher, school employee, or daycare worker, contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at [email protected] for a free consultation.