PASCO COUNTY, Fla — A Pasco County Schools teacher is behind bars after detectives arrested him on charges of sexual battery on a student.
According to detectives, the investigation began on January 7, after detectives received information about an inappropriate relationship between 32-year-old Kyle Handfield and a student who was 14-years-old at the time. Investigators said the crime took place between 2017 and 2018.
Detectives said Handfield started messaging with the victim through a social networking website. The victim said Handfield engaged in inappropriate sexual activity with her while she was a student at Pinellas Park Middle School. Handfield was the 14-year-old victim's teacher.
Handfield was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual battery custodial authority.
Pinellas County Schools said a staff member contacted law enforcement when they learned about the case. The school system said Handfield started working with the district in March 2015 as a substitute teacher. He was hired as a full-time teacher in August 2015. He worked at Pinellas Park Middle until August 2020.
That's when Pasco County Schools said he was hired as a band teacher at Fivay High School. He's been placed on administrative leave and the school system has not been able to contact him as of Monday morning.
Detectives don't yet know if there are additional victims. Anyone with more information can call the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Crimes Against Children Unit, Detective Leib at 727-582-6566.
