BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — A substitute teacher who was previously working at a Manatee County Elementary School was arrested on Tuesday regarding inappropriate behavior towards a student.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, the principal of Abel Elementary School contacted law enforcement to report concerns of inappropriate behavior towards a 10-year-old student by a substitute teacher.
During an investigation, deputies said that Malik Belvin, 26, had been assigned to the classroom for several days the previous week. When the regular teacher returned, multiple students reported feeling uncomfortable with Belvin’s behavior while he was there, according to investigators.
The principal followed up on the complaints and was told by the 10-year-old victim that during school hours Belvin had pulled her into a closet and made an inappropriate request.
Crimes Against Children detectives conducted multiple interviews, during which they found probable cause to arrest Belvin.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Belvin and charged him with lewd and lascivious conduct.
The school notified the staffing agency that provided Belvin, and he has been restricted from teaching pending the outcome of the investigation.
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