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Eustis teacher's aide gave student STD, police say

EUSTIS, Fla. — An alternative school employee in Eustis has been accused of having sex with a student, police said.

Investigators said Alex Palomino had sex with the 16-year-old student from Lake Academy over several months at a hotel in Tavares.

The relationship began in June and the two would communicate via phone and SnapChat.

Police said Palomino allegedly gave the victim a sexually transmitted disease, but police did not specify the type of STD.

The teen’s father is the one who suspected the relationship and notified police, investigators said.

Palomino is a former behavioral technician, which is essentially a teacher’s assistant, at the school.

A spokesperson for the school district said Palomino no longer worked for Lake Academy and was fired for unrelated issues before the start of the school year.

It’s unclear why Palomino was fired.

A spokesperson for the school district said it notified the Department of Children and Families about the sexual allegations.

Investigators said they worry there could be other victims, because the 16-year-old told police there was another teen sexually involved with Palomino.

Myrt Price

Myrt Price, WFTV.com

Myrt Price joined the eyewitness news team as a general assignment reporter in October of 2012.