FL Teacher Of Autistic Children Accused Of Molesting Student

VALRICO, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a teacher and high school coach after he was accused of showing pornographic images to and inappropriately touching an underage student at Livingstone Academy Autism Center at 1649 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico.

Livingstone Academy reached out to the sheriff's office after the grandmother of a student reported her grandchild had been inappropriately touched by a teacher at the Hillsborough County charter school.

The investigation led to the arrest of teacher Matthew Hike, 33, who is also an assistant football coach at Bloomingdale High School.

During their investigation, detectives said they discovered that Hike had shown several pornographic photos to the underage student as well.

He's been charged with five counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and three counts of distributing obscene material to a minor.

"Those adults in positions of trust who prey on our children and victimize them have no place in our community," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This suspect did not have the student in his class, but instead targeted the juvenile in the hallway, gaining the victim's trust and friendship before committing this heinous crime."

Anyone who knows of other victims should call the sheriff's office at 813-247-8200.