Florida math teacher charged with having ‘inappropriate relationship’ with student

Kevin Rodriquez-Febus, 23, was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with offenses against students by authority figures, which is a second-degree felony, according to WFLA. Febus is a math teacher at Haines City High School in Polk County, Florida. He was arrested after police were tipped off about a suspicion that there might be an inappropriate relationship.

Febus reportedly revealed to law enforcement he was "in love" with the student victim and "wanted a relationship with her." Police did not reveal the victim's age.

The female victim told Haines City police officers that she had been going on dates with Febus in several different locations across the state which began earlier this year. The teacher first started talking to the student on an online messaging platform. The victim told authorities they had a "dating relationship."

Upon arrest, Febus told police that he was the victim's boyfriend and admitted to multiple acts of inappropriate behavior with the student. Police did not go into detail about the type of inappropriate behavior and the case is still under investigation.

Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck told reporters in a press brief: "We are thankful to the witness who spoke up on behalf of the victim, as this inappropriate relationship would have likely continued."

"Based on the initial contact between the victim and the suspect taking place online, I would encourage parents to always be mindful of who their children are communicating with and the nature of their conversations," Goreck said.

Polk County School Board Superintendent Fred Heid told the outlet that the school is cooperating with authorities and that Febus will be terminated from his position.

"We trust them with our children, and anyone who takes advantage of such positions of authority has no place within our schools. We are moving forward with ending this person's employment with Polk County Public Schools, and we will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement in their investigation," Heid said.