Special to the Lehigh Acres Gazette
An East Lee County High School security guard says the district is striking back against him after his own daughter reported being assaulted by her math teacher.
In February, Orlando Torres’ daughter, Mariah, said her math teacher kissed her on the neck in front of her entire class, and within days of reporting it, her father was suspended, accused by her classmates of sexually inappropriate actions toward them.
Torres is sticking to his story that he wasn’t the East Lee staff member being inappropriate with young girls. And I have no reason, to lie, Torres said.
He was suspended without pay in the spring after two female students said he made sexual advances and statements toward them. It happened just days after his daughter reported math teacher Jonathan Blikstad assaulted her.
Mr. Blikstad came up behind me, and he pulled my hair to the side, and he kissed me right on the neck, Mariah Torres said.
Records show Blikstad admitted to district staff that he kissed Mariah’s neck, but he was never investigated or disciplined. He still works at the East Lee County high school.
Torres’ immediate dismissal was a shock to the entire family and the community since Torres wife still works for East Lee County High School.
In May, the Torres family filed a second report with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
In September, an administrative judge officially recommended Torres be fired. The school board will vote Tuesday on whether to fire Torres.
Editorial comment: Isn’t the school system supposed to protect and have a safe environment for our children, in this case, the innocent man is guilty and the guilty man goes free.