HAINES CITY, Fla. — A Haines City High School teacher was arrested on Tuesday after telling detectives he was "in love" with a student and wanted a relationship with her, according to police.
The investigation began when police received a tip from someone who suspected an inappropriate relationship between a student and 23-year-old math teacher Kevin Rodriquez-Febus.
Detectives said they spoke to the student who told them she and Rodriquez-Febus had been dating since early 2023 after he reached out to her through an online messaging app.
The student also said she had met up with Rodriquez-Febus at various locations throughout the state.
Detectives then spoke to Rodriquez-Febus who reportedly "admitted to several acts of inappropriate behavior."
"Febus then told detectives he was her boyfriend and the victim was his girlfriend," police said in a news release.
Rodriquez-Febus was charged with offenses against students by authority figures, a second-degree felony. The Polk County School Board Superintendent also confirmed that Rodriquez-Febus had been fired from the school system.
“We are thankful to the witness who spoke up on behalf of the victim, as this inappropriate relationship would have likely continued," Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck said. “Based on the initial contact between the victim and the suspect taking place online, I would encourage parents to always be mindful of who their children are communicating with and the nature of their conversations.”
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Haines City Police Department at 863-421-3636 or report an anonymous tip to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 888-400-8477.