Former teacher accused of inappropriate behavior with student

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A former Lake County teacher has been arrested and is accused of inappropriate behavior with a 15-year-old student.

Felix Diaz, a former teacher at South Lake High School, was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct after his alleged victim came forward.

The alleged victim told investigators he "felt bad" for his 60-year-old teacher, so he would stay after school to help him around the classroom. But deputies said that kindness paved the way for Diaz to try to take advantage of his student.

"I'm completely disgusted and disappointed," Sarah Worley, a Lake County parent, said.

A spokesman for Lake County schools said Diaz taught at the high school for one year. His contract was not renewed before the arrest, but the county couldn't say why.

"A high school teacher doing that, it's not right. I couldn't imagine how that kid felt," Lake County school graduate Kyle Blackwell said.

Deputies said the first incident happened on campus last year. Diaz allegedly offered to change with the victim in a classroom closet, but he declined. On another occasion, Diaz is accused of touching the victim's leg and telling him he loved him.

No one answered when WFTV reporter Anthony DiLorenzo knocked on Diaz's door on Sunday. It's the same location where he allegedly asked the teen to "go to the bedroom" because "no one is around."

According to an arrest affidavit, the victim told detectives Diaz also put his hand down the teen's pants while they were together in another county. Deputies said a molestation charge is likely to be added outside of Lake County.

Officials said it is believed that no other students were victimized.

WFTV