A physical education public school teacher from Miami-Dade county, Joseph Edward Tolliver, 37, has been arrested after he allegedly snuck into a student’s home and engaged in sexual activities with her, officials say. According to the Miami Herald, the student was 14 years old. 

Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez, a Miami-Dade Police Director said,

“As a father, I am deeply disturbed any time an educator betrays the public’s trust….Schools are considered to be a safe haven for our children, and us parents entrust the educators with the safety and security of our children.”

The student and teacher began to build a relationship, which led to the encounter. The 37-year-old snuck into the student’s bedroom window on several occasions in an effort to avoid the teen’s mother, the student told police. 

On Saturday, the unnamed girl met with Tolliver in the parking area of her apartment complex, where they later had sex in his vehicle, officials say. On Tuesday, the teen and her mother contacted Miami-Dade officials and Tolliver was later apprehended. The school district has begun the teacher’s termination process. 

The district said in a statement,

“Miami-Dade County Public Schools is profoundly disturbed by the abhorrent allegations made against this individual.” 

Tolliver has been charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor. 

#Clique, what are your thoughts?