HOMESTEAD, FL– A 30-year-old science teacher from West Homestead K-8 Center has been arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student.
David Hodge was taken into custody after the victim told her parents that she was dating her teacher.
Miami-Dade Schools Police reported that Hodge began texting and private messaging the then 12-year-old on Instagram back in October.
The victim told police that at first, Hodge messaged her about school, but the conversation quickly changed to that of a sexual nature.
According to the report, Hodge and the student exchanged nude pictures and spoke sexually to each other.
Once the victim turned 13, Hodge asked her to start meeting him in his classroom after school on Fridays and to tell her parents that she was tutoring.
The victim told police that once the other students would leave the classroom, they would engage in sexual touching.
The touching incidents occurred between November and January, according to the reports.
Hodge told the victim that he considered them to be boyfriend and girlfriend, and the victim eventually told her parents.
The victim provided investigators with text messages between herself and Hodge to prove the relationship.
Authorities eventually took him into custody.
Hodge is charged with four counts of engaging in sex acts with a child.
He is being held without bond.
“Miami-Dade County Public Schools is deeply troubled by the disturbing allegations made against this individual. As soon as the claims surfaced, the employee was immediately removed from the school setting. After a thorough investigation by the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department, this individual was subsequently arrested. Conduct such as the one he is accused of will not be tolerated. As such, the District has initiated employment termination proceedings, and will ensure the individual is precluded from seeking future employment with the District.”