Elementary School Employee Molested Student: Manatee County Sheriff

SARASOTA, FL — An employee at Abel Elementary School was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a third-grade student there, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Angel Rodriguez Mercado, 67, a paraprofessional at the Sarasota school, which is part of the School District of Manatee County, admitted to the crimes, the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives began investigating allegations of molestation by Mercado on Nov. 7, after the student told a relative about it.

The agency didn't disclose the child's age or gender.

A safety plan was immediately put in place by the school, and Mercado was removed from contact with children there while detectives investigated, the sheriff’s office said.

He confessed Wednesday to molesting the student, and was charged and booked into Manatee County Jail, where he remains in custody.

“We commend the bravery of the victim in disclosing this information which led to Mercado’s arrest,” MCSO said. “We encourage parents to speak to their children about molestation and how to report this crime.”

Anyone with information about this case or who knows someone who could be a victim of Mercado is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 941-747-3011.