Local

First Coast High School teacher released on bail

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE 4:20 p.m. 11/23/2019: According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Christine Dennard bonded out of jail Saturday.

Original Story: A First Coast High School teacher arrested on allegations of sexual activity with a former student is being held on a $7,500 bond.

Christine Dennard, 32, was arrested Friday at the school. She’s known for her work with the First Coast High music program.

For close friend Amber Cottle, she says the accusations against Dennard are hard to believe.

“I’ve seen a lot of situations where people make false allegations. I’m totally clueless regarding this situation and shocked,” she said.

Cottle was among more than a dozen people who came to the Duval County Courthouse Saturday morning for Dennard’s first appearance, many of them her former and current students.

Dennard waived her first appearance and a judge set a $1,503 bond for each of the five counts she’s facing. He also ordered she not have any contact with the alleged victim.

TRENDING STORIES:

Truck crashes on Jacksonville's Northside; Neighbor says driver took off 

Impeachment inquiry: Fiona Hill, David Holmes testify; live updates, livestream 

As Action News Jax Brittney Donovan walked out of the courthouse, one former student told her he knows what it’s like for your life to change overnight. He said that’s why he came to support Dennard.

Dennard’s pastor was also there. He confirmed Dennard was once a worship leader at Impact Church.

Her supporters said they’re waiting to see what the evidence shows.

“We shouldn’t just say, ‘OK, that’s what they said, this is the story, we believe it.’ We shouldn’t go in and attack them via social media,” Cottle said. “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.”

Dennard's next court date is set for Dec. 16.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Download WJAX Apps