On December 4, 2025, Elias Gordon Farley, a 26-year-old science instructor at Donna Klein Jewish Academy (DKJA) in Boca Raton, was arrested following allegations that he used covert digital communication to groom an underage student before engaging in sexual acts with her on and off campus. Farley was booked into the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center on a $500,000 bond and charged with one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and one count of engaging in offense against a student by an authority figure. According to the school, he is no longer employed by Donna Klein Jewish Academy.
According to media reports and statements from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Farley allegedly created and used a shared Google Docs file to communicate privately with the student beginning during the summer. Detectives say the document functioned as a secret chat platform, allowing Farley to groom the teen without triggering school or parental monitoring systems.
The investigation reportedly began in November 2025 after the student disclosed to another teacher that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with Farley. She also revealed bruises and bite marks she said came from him. The school immediately alerted authorities and suspended Farley from his position.
Facts about the investigation that led to Elias Farley's arrest
According to law enforcement:
- Communication between Farley and the student allegedly escalated from casual conversations to sexual content over the summer of 2025, using a shared Google Doc.
- The student — described as a teenager (16 or 17) by police — said what started as conversations about “psychology and personality topics” evolved over time.
- By mid-September 2025, the relationship allegedly turned physical. The student reported sexual contact in Farley’s office or a small classroom adjacent to the science lab.
- Over the following weeks, the acts allegedly escalated to include oral sex and vaginal intercourse — both at school (classroom floor, at times) and later off campus at Farley's apartment.
- Investigators executed a search warrant at Farley’s residence and found bedding, condom wrappers, and furniture matching the student’s description.
- Surveillance footage from DKJA reportedly shows Farley and the student entering offices and classrooms alone for extended periods, corroborating parts of the student’s account.
A spokesperson for DKJA issued a statement saying the academy is “working closely with all students, faculty and staff … to ensure a safe, compassionate and educational environment,” confirming that Farley had been removed from the school and that administrators are fully cooperating with law enforcement.
“This is a difficult time for all of us at Donna Klein,” said a school spokesperson. “We are approaching this serious situation with the utmost care, keeping the well-being of our students, faculty, and families at the forefront. We are steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone in our school community. “
Safety Concerns
This case underscores a number of broader, systemic concerns:
- Digital grooming under the radar — The use of a shared Google Docs rather than more traceable communications demonstrates how predators may exploit common, innocuous-seeming platforms to evade detection.
- Abuse of authority and trust in educational settings — As a teacher, Farley held institutional power and trust. The alleged abuse betrays that trust and raises serious questions about oversight, boundaries, and safeguarding in private schools.
- Institutional and community responsibilities — The case shows the importance of prompt reporting, safe disclosure channels for victims (the student reportedly told another teacher), and rapid institutional cooperation with law enforcement.
- Evidence compilation — digital and physical — Investigators combined forensic digital analysis, surveillance video, physical evidence recovered from a residence, and witness statements. This illustrates how modern investigations into abuse may rely on multiple kinds of corroboration.
Horowitz Law Is Here to Help
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing survivors of sexual abuse. We have handled multiple cases of sexual abuse by authority figures in schools. It is expected that any institution where children learn and develop skills provides a safe environment — free from violence, harassment, and sexual abuse. Teachers and coaches are entrusted with guiding and protecting students; anyone who violates that trust has no place in education or youth programs.
If you or a loved one was sexually abused, raped, or sexually molested by teacher Elias Gordon Farley, or any other school employee, contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation. Our sexual abuse lawyers can help.
*Image of Elias Gordon Farley sourced from Fox News.