POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County middle school teacher is accused of having inappropriate relationships with his students.
"I think it's sickening. It's immoral. It's wrong. I don't think he should have done that," said parent Dacia Brown.
Daryl Burgner was suspended from Crystal Lake Middle School with pay, and the district said it wants to fire him.
An internal investigation report shows the suspension comes after an eighth-grade female student reported that Burgner smacked her on the rear end, grabbed her on the waist and would kiss her on the hand.
Documents show other students backed up the story, and said the teacher would hug them, pick them up and kiss them.
A sympathy card that Burgner sent to a student read, "I am thinking of you. I am lucky to know you. I cannot replace anyone in your life, but I want you to know that I love you and I am here for you."
Another parent said, "There's no excuse. He's dealing with children, so he should at least show them respect. There's no excuse."
Burgner denied smacking a student's rear end, but records show that he admitted to kissing one on the hand and said it was in his character to take an interest in his students. He also stated that he would only hug the students if they initiated it.
WFTV
