A Seminole County teacher has been placed on administrative leave after being arrested as the school district investigates an accusation of inappropriate behavior against a pupil, according to the district.Richard Carlos Colon, 55, is a teacher and assistant coach at Lake Mary High School. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office notified Seminole County Public Schools about the accusation on Thursday, shortly after Colon was arrested at 3:30 p.m. According to the district, the event has been reported to the Department of Family and Children Services as well as local enforcement. According to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Colon has been charged with distributing/transmitting materials detrimental to minors and obscene communication, which involves using a computer to entice a child. Colon was still in prison on Thursday night.
“We take all allegations of staff misconduct seriously and act swiftly,” the district stated in a statement. “We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement during their investigation.” “The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and any type of behavior that jeopardizes that safety will not be tolerated at Seminole County Public Schools,” stated Lake Mary High School Principal Dr. Reynolds in a note to parents. Several parents and children told FOX 35’s Hannah Mackenzie that Colon teaches world history and instructs girls’ soccer. A Seminole County Public Schools official declined to provide additional information. Anyone with information on the event is asked to call Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477) or the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at 407 665-6650.
