Woman accuses Lake Co. Bible teacher of molestation 17 years later

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Paul Pickren, 66, is accused of molesting a student 17 years ago, Mount Dora police said.

Pickren is a Bible teacher at Mount Dora Christian Academy.

The woman, 32, said she just found the courage to come forward with the allegations.

Pickren was arrested last week and has posted his $20,000.

According to a heavily redacted police report, the woman said Pickren inappropriately touched her when she was a student at what used to be called Christian Home and Bible School, that is now Mount Dora Christian Academy, beginning in 1999. The woman told investigators Pickren also kissed her on the mouth and told her to dress promiscuously in short-length shorts and tight-fitting shirts.

No one answered Pickren's address for comment when Channel 9's Michael Lopardi stopped by the home Tuesday.

The school's website shows the subject "bible" under Pickren’s picture. The academy president told Eyewitness News that Pickren has worked at the school for more than 15 years and does not have a disciplinary history. Police would not tell Eyewitness News the evidence they have.

“Often, in these cases that are this old, there's a lack of any corroborating evidence,” said Bill Sheaffer, WFTV legal analyst.

The report said the victim was so bothered by the events that she had trouble eating and struggled academically. But she told police she didn't come forward earlier because Pickren said no one would believe her, and she's been haunted ever since.

Police told Eyewitness News that they don't believe there are any other alleged victims.

A spokesperson for the school said it notified parents by email last week about the incident.

Cox Media Group