Deputies: Okeechobee Middle School Teacher, Coach Molested Child, WPBF, May 5, 2011

Deputies: Okeechobee Middle School Teacher, Coach Molested Child

WPBF
May 5, 2011

http://www.wpbf.com/news/27786774/detail.html

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. - Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office deputies have arrested a middle school teacher accused of molesting a child.

Yearling Middle School teacher Joel Huddleston was arrested Thursday on a lewd and lascivious molestation charge.

The 28-year-old social studies teacher is also the head coach for the girl's basketball team and a youth pastor at the Buckhead Ridge Christian Church.

Deputies said information was obtained that indicated possible sexual abuse by Huddleston, but they would not elaborate.

"I'm surprised, just surprised," said church member Vicky McGee.

According to a news release from the sheriff's office, Huddleston denied the accusations when questioned; however, evidence proved otherwise.

Investigators said Huddleston's wife visited the sheriff's office on Tuesday, and told detectives that she found Huddleston sleeping on their bed with a girl who was partially clothed. The police report said Huddleston had one of his hands in an appropriate place on the girl's body.

Investigators said Huddleston's wife took photos of the two with her camera phone, which she gave to detectives.

"The wife did the right thing, and we're very proud of her," said Sheriff Paul May.

Deputies have not released any information about the victim.

Huddleston is being held in the Okeechobee County Jail with no bail.

Neighbors said they were surprised by Huddleston's arrest.

"You think you know somebody from talking to them, (then you) find out this stuff is going on. It's shocking," said resident Jose Garcia.

The school district for Okeechobee County has suspended Huddleston without pay pending the results of the investigation.

"It's a violation of trust. The school does the best it can to take care of the kids out there, but it's just like anything else. Nowadays, things are happening that wouldn't have happened a few years ago, and it's something that's going through our society that we have to get a hold of," May said.