Content warning: This article contains disturbing references to sexual violence. Reader discretion is advised.
Orel Sharon, 32, was named on Monday as the middle school teacher that orchestrated a romantic relationship with a 16-year-old female student of his over the course of several years, starting from when she was just 12 years old. He was arrested on Sunday and is suspected of rape, indecent acts, and acts of sodomy.
The Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court permitted the name for publication on Monday during a hearing on the extension of his arrest, which was approved for another four days, until Friday.
The investigation was opened after the teenage girl submitted a complaint against him on the suspicion that she had fallen victim to acts of sexual assault over the course of a year and a half.
In her testimony, she said that even though the sexual acts occurred “with her consent,” she understands now that she was taken advantage of and abused as a child. “It dawned on me that this was a horrible mistake,” she told investigators.
She is set to begin 10th grade next week; per the suspicions, at least some of the acts took place on school property.
Police representative Dudi Levi told the court on Monday that the girl arrived at the police station on Sunday with her family and testified that she had routinely met with Sharon from the ages of 12 to 14 and that the meetings were of a sexual nature.
“The meet-ups began inside the school's walls, but they advanced to public parks,” said Levi, including in Petah Tikva and Rosh Ha’ayin.
Per the police, the relationship came to an end in March 2024, just before she turned 15. She eventually told her family, and the complaint was submitted a year-and-a-half later.
Levi explained that she viewed the whole affair as a romantic relationship and experienced its ending as a breakup.
Details accounts of sexual acts corroborated by teacher
She gave detailed accounts of the sexual acts, acts that were corroborated by Sharon, who said he also viewed the relationship as romantic in nature.
Levi added that after the relationship ended in March 2024, Sharon tried to start up with her again and even exposed himself to her in a video chat. She immediately exited the call.
Sharon’s public defense lawyer noted that he has been fully cooperative and asked that his detention be trimmed from the original seven days. Judge Ronen Peleg said that there is reasonable suspicion that Sharon carried out the acts and ordered him detained until Friday.