By Andy Boyle, Times Staff Writer
Posted: May 20, 2010 09:55 AM

TAMPA — A Middleton High School assistant principal was arrested Thursday after she sent naked pictures of herself to a 14-year-old boy in Manatee County, authorities said.

Lauren S. Tilo, 30, will be charged with transmission of material harmful to a minor. Tilo was arrested at her Tampa home at about 6 a.m. Thursday.

Here's what deputies say happened:

Lilo met the boy in February while playing World of Warcraft, an online multiplayer game. They became friends and aware of their ages. On March 7, Tilo sent the victim a picture of her in a "provocative and sexual pose." He told a school guidance counselor about it Wednesday.

Deputies don't think the two ever met face to face.

"There was something that upset him and he decided to step forward," Manatee sheriff's spokesman Dave Bristow said. He declined to elaborate.

"We don't have any firsthand knowledge of the allegations at this point, but we are prepared to serve her a letter telling her not to report to work and meet with professional standards," said Hillsborough County School District spokeswoman Linda Cobbe. Professional standards is the investigative office of the district.

Cobbe said Tilo started at the school as an English teacher in 2003. She was appointed assistant principal in September.

"In all likelihood she will be suspended with pay, and if she remains charged then the School Board will suspend her without pay," Cobbe said.

The investigation isn't related to her work at school, Cobbe said. One of her recent teacher evaluations was positive, she said.

Manatee deputies are investigating to determine if there are more victims.

"In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and two cats," reads a biography of Tilo on the school's website. "Ms. Tilo can be found on the bus ramp every morning with her cup of Starbucks coffee, and she is determined to one day have an office that is almost as nice as (the school principal's)."

Tilo graduated from Kathleen High School in Lakeland and earned a degree in English literature from the University of South Florida, according to the website, as well a master's degree in education administration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

This isn't the first time a Middleton educator has been charged in a sex-related crime. In 2007, Christina Butler, a 33-year-old special education teacher, was accused of having sex up to a dozen times with a 16-year-old boy. She pleaded guilty and received probation.