A Polk County middle school teacher was arrested on Wednesday after deputies said she threatened a public official.

According to reports, Kelly Anne Karynn, 49, of Lakeland, made threats against Assistant State Attorney Melissa Gravitt and her family during a jail phone call with a man she had a relationship with.

Karynn works at Bartow Middle School where she teaches seventh grade English.

The call was made on July 20 between Karynn and David Bills, who is in the Polk County jail on a child sexual battery charges.

Bills, who is married, was involved with Karynn in a romantic relationship prior to his arrest. 

During the recorded conversation, Karynn told Bills that she had been served with a subpoena for a deposition by the State Attorney’s Office regarding his upcoming criminal trial.

Karynn told Bills she searched Gravitt on the internet and was able to view photographs of her, her husband and children.  

During the phone call, Bills told Karynn that Gravitt has a tough reputation and tries to “scare” criminal defendants. 

Karynn responded by stating, “If she wants to scare me, I’ll start talking about children and how I know she has three children and their ages. You’re a mother right?” 

Bills then told Karynn their conversation may be recorded by law enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office, to which she replied, “That’s fine!  Hi Melissa, how are you? I look forward to seeing you on the 8.  How are the kids?” 

Karynn also requested the last name of the detective who arrested Bills so she could look up information on him as well.  Bills told her he only knew the first name and didn’t know the last name, but he would find the last name and give it to her. 

On Wednesday, detectives served a search warrant on Karynn’s home in Lakeland and confiscated a cell phone, a computer and miscellaneous documents related to the investigation.  Detectives are conducting a forensic analysis of her computer and cell phone.

According to the Polk County School Board, Karynn has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an investigation takes place. 

She was hired on August 16, 2010 to work at Lakeland Senior High. She was transferred to Bartow Middle on July 1, 2011.

Karynn is in the Polk County Jail, held on no bond.