ORLANDO, Fla. — An Edgewater High School science teacher accused of having sex with a ninth-grade student bonded out of jail Friday night.
Investigators said the female student reported having a three-month sexual relationship with Ethan Hickey.
During Hickey's first appearance, a judge said that the victim was 11 years younger than the 25-year-old, and ordered him not to return to the school or have unsupervised contact with minors.
The judge granted Hickey a bond of more than $25,000.
The 14-year-old student said she had sex with Hickey between 10 and 15 times since January and gave officers her cellphone for evidence, authorities said.
Hickey is facing six counts, including child molestation and sexual battery.
Police arrested Hickey Thursday night. He had nothing to say during his first appearance on Friday.
"Even as a parent, as a mom, I have a hard time controlling her (her daughter) because of the people she's interested in and wants to date because of their age as well," said parent Kelly LaFond.
According to Hickey’s LinkedIn page, he teaches honors chemistry and AP courses, and also works as head track and field coach, assistant high school cross-country coach and assistant high school girls lacrosse coach. He passed a background check when he was hired by the district in 2012.
A student at the school said she heard the news from a fellow student.
“She has a picture of him getting arrested and everything,” said Megan Milano.
Hickey is an Ivy League graduate and former star athlete.
Police are investigating whether there could be more victims since Hickey had worked with hundreds of students over the years.
“I think the school board needs to be more involved in who they hire to look over our kids,” said parent Sharise Laster.
Hickey is on paid leave pending an internal investigation.
Hickey is engaged to be married in September. No one answered the door at the couple's home when WFTV stopped by on Friday.
WFTV
