Former Marion County teacher arrested, accused of molesting student

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A former elementary school teacher is behind bars Saturday, accused of molesting a former student of hers at Evergreen Elementary School.

Marion County Sheriff Deputies arrested Christina Ruby Sanchez-Rodriguez and charged her with felony lewd and lascivious molestation.

Detectives arrested Sanchez-Rodriquez Friday night after receiving information accusing Sanchez-Rodriquez of molesting one of her 6-year-old students at Evergreen Elementary around two years ago.

Deputies said the accusations came to light after the child became upset after learning that Sanchez-Rodriquez would be teaching one of his family members.

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According to deputies, the child told a family that the former teacher had touched his private area on multiple occasions. Deputies also stated that the child came forward because he didn’t want the family member to go through it too.

Deputies said Sanchez-Rodriquez told the child she liked him like a boyfriend and not to tell anyone.

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Sanchez-Rodriquez would get upset with the child and ignore him in class when the child would tell Sanchez-Rodriquez that he did not want to be touched, according to deputies.

During the interview process, detectives said they learned that Sanchez-Rodriquez would show the child special attention, allowing him to play on her phone under her desk and take him from lunch and bring him back to her classroom.

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According to deputies, Sanchez-Rodriquez would buy gifts for the boy, as well as take him out to “fun places” like the mall. This behavior eventually led to the child being removed from Sanchez-Rodriquez' classroom, deputies said. When Sanchez-Rodriquez found out she quit.

Sanchez-Rodriquez was booked into the Marion County Jail and is being held on a $25,000 bond.

Because of several other statements given during this investigation the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are concerned that Sanchez-Rodriquez may have more victims.

“After interviewing this child victim and the families and others, they feel like the potential for more child victims out there," Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Paul Bloom said.

Detectives are asking if you know anyone that could be a victim of Sanchez-Rodriquez, please contact Detective Scala at 352-368-3548.

Cox Media Group