A SUBSTITUTE teacher has allegedly admitted sending nude photos of herself to a student she was “dating,” said cops.
A search warrant uncovered sexually explicit drawings by Dianely Torres, 24, and disturbing text messages, they added.
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Major Crimes Detective Jordyn Batts arrested Torres on May 7, after a three-month investigation, according to a statement from Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
It said the “long-term substitute teacher was arrested for nine counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and five counts of transmission of material harmful to minors.”
She was a substitute teacher who worked for a firm that provides subs for Marion County Public Schools, reported the Ocala Star-Banner.
Cops were called after a school resource officer (SRO) received a complaint from a witness in February, said the MCSO.
The witness alleged that they had walked into Torres’ classroom and seen the teacher “massaging the juvenile victim’s head.”
During the cops’ investigation into this alleged incident, the SRO learned that Torres, of Ocala, had been previously disciplined for using the communication platform, Discord, to message students.
The chatting app is one of the most popular ways gamers communicate online.
Investigators claim she sent inappropriate messages, including nude photos and video, to the alleged victim, who was a student in one of her classes at the time.
A relative of the alleged victim reportedly contacted authorities last month after going through the student’s phone and Discord account, as she feared a meeting had been set up with Torres, according to ABC-affiliated WCJB.
The relative reported to deputies that she had allegedly found a nude selfie of Torres.
During Batts’ subsequent investigation, a search warrant was served on Discord, along with the alleged victim’s phone.
The MCSO alleged, “Major Crimes Detective Batts located nude photos of Torres that she had sent to the juvenile victim, and sexually explicit drawings by Torres.
“Detective Batts interviewed Torres, who admitted to being in a ‘dating’ relationship with the juvenile victim.
“Torres stated that she and the juvenile victim had sent nude photos to each other.
“And she consented to a search of her phone, where detectives found nude photos of the juvenile victim.
“Upon reviewing Torres’ cellphone, Detective Batts located nine sexually explicit photos of the juvenile victim.”
WCJB reported that deputies said Torres allegedly called the student “pookie” and “love” in messages.
Detectives are now trying to establish whether there are other alleged victims.
School’s response to the arrest of Dianely Torres
Principal Rebekah Cook of Horizon Academy in Marion Oaks shared a Skylert message with parents about the arrest of substitute teacher Dianely Torres on May 7
Her message said, “Good evening, Horizon, this is Principal Cook.
“Today, a worker with the ESS substitute company Marion County Public Schools works with was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and transmitting harmful material to a minor after several weeks of an investigation with law enforcement.
“When the complaint was lodged, the ESS worker was immediately removed from the classroom, an investigation was completed, the ESS substitute company was made aware, and the worker was escorted off campus and has not been on any school property since.
“If you have questions regarding this case, please contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.”
Source: Ocala Star-Banner
The sheriff’s office added, “Given Torres’ [alleged] acts with this juvenile victim, as well as, prior disciplinary action for communicating with students on Discord, detectives believe there may be additional victims.
“If you or someone you know was victimized by Torres, please contact Detective Batts at (352) 368-3847.”
The teacher’s bail has been set at $350,000.
DUE IN COURT
Torres’ next court appearance – an arraignment – has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 10.
The Public Defender’s Office is representing her.
Principal Rebekah Cook of Horizon Academy in Marion Oaks sent a Skylert message with parents about Torres’ arrest, reported Ocala Star-Banner.
Cook said that a “worker with the ESS substitute company Marion County Public Schools works with was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and transmitting harmful material to a minor after several weeks of an investigation with law enforcement.
“When the complaint was lodged, the ESS worker was immediately removed from the classroom, an investigation was completed, the ESS substitute company was made aware, and the worker was escorted off campus and has not been on any school property since.”
According to its website, ESS specializes in hiring, placing, and managing qualified substitute teachers and school support staff in K-12 school districts nationwide.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the firm for comment.