A Florida high school teacher has been arrested for allegedly having inappropriate relations with a student, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Lucas Cridlebaugh, 25, a teacher at Winter Springs High School, was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday before being arrested on Wednesday.
The arrest followed a report made by the victim’s mother who discovered explicit messages exchanged between Cridlebaugh and her daughter, who is a student at Winter Springs High School. The messages were sent over the spring and early summer of 2023. Further investigation revealed that Cridlebaugh had also engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with the victim on multiple occasions on the school campus.
Detectives conducted interviews with the alleged victim, providing additional support for the allegations. Cridlebaugh cooperated with the investigation prior to his arrest, according to the sheriff’s office. He is facing two counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a minor and three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor. Bond has been set at $75,000.
Winter Springs High School Principal Pete Gaffney addressed the incident in a statement to parents, assuring them that any allegations of misconduct by the school staff will be taken seriously and handled promptly. The school will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement as the investigation progresses.
Seminole County Public Schools reported the incident to the Department of Family and Children Services and law enforcement. Detectives are urging anyone who may have experienced a similar incident involving Cridlebaugh to come forward and contact the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
This news highlights the gravity of the situation and the commitment of authorities to address cases of inappropriate conduct in educational institutions. The arrest serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe environment for students and the need for continued vigilance in preventing such incidents.
