DNA test shows former Pinellas teacher fathered teen's child
ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - DNA test results show a teen mother's baby was fathered by a then-teacher at a Pinellas County high school.
St. Petersburg police said an investigation began in August, 2015 after the baby was born to a 17-year-old student.
Robert Celeste, 50, was determined to be the baby's father. He taught business at Northeast High School for 14 years before being moved to Pinellas Park on request from Northeast's principal. He was then moved to a warehouse worksite when school officials learned of the investigation.
The teen victim is a student in Pinellas County, but her name and what school she attended were withheld due to her minor status. It was unclear if she was a student of Celeste at the time she became pregnant sometime around late November, 2014.
It was also unclear how old the victim was when she became pregnant with Celeste's child, who was 49 at the time.
St. Petersburg police said they obtained warrants to test the DNA of the baby, the mother and Celeste in August. Police said the test took three months to process and media were not notified of the investigation or the results.
The test confirmed Celeste was the father. He was arrested - accused of sexual activity with a minor - then released November 20 on a $25,000 bail.
Celeste resigned from the school system in September. Pinellas County Schools said he is not eligible to be rehired.
Celeste entered a not guilty plea in December. A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for March 7.