Accused Teacher Found Dead

(Middlefield, Connecticut) This week, a 6th/7th grade teacher at the Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication in New London, Jeffrey M. Francis, 23, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a child he met in an online chat room.

At his arraignment on Wednesday, Francis was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.

On Thursday, Francis was reported missing by his family.

Yesterday around 1pm, Francis was found dead in Lake Beseck in Middlefield.

The state police determined that there appears to be no criminal aspect to his death. Police said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the manner and cause of death.

Suspect it was suicide, prompted by his conscience.