PALM BAY, Fla. — A Palm Bay woman who is a wife, mother, Little League volunteer and police dispatcher is accused of having a sexual relationship with an 11-year-old boy.
Amanda Chandler, 40, was arrested Monday night on a warrant charging her with eight counts of capital sexual battery and five counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, police said.
Police said Chandler was hospitalized after her arrest. Once she is medically cleared, she will be taken to the Brevard County Jail, where she will be held without bond.
Officers said they responded Aug. 1 to a Melbourne hospital after a relative reported that Chandler had attempted suicide.
Further investigation revealed that Chandler had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a boy whom she had befriended, authorities said.
After the suicide attempt, Chandler's husband of 19 years told investigators that he had left out some information. He told them about an ongoing disagreement about the amount of time his wife was spending with a neighbor's child.
The husband also detailed some texts that he discovered on his wife's phone, which allegedly showed her confessing her love for her soulmate: "I will most likely be gone by the time you read these messages."
Police said the relationship might have started in February or March and that it involved physical intimacy on numerous occasions.
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"We are sickened by this news, obviously," said Palm Beach police Cmdr. John Resh. "It's disgusting, and we've taken immediate steps."
Detectives are asking anyone with additional information or similar contact with Chandler to contact Detective Jasmine Smith at 321-733-3028.
Chandler was employed by the department for approximately three years.
Chief Mark Renkens said he has begun the process to terminate her employment with the department. She is currently suspended without pay pending further action.
WFTV
