A Florida substitute teacher has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing children, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said the parent of one alleged victim reported their child was molested by 19-year-old Fnu Syedyaseen-Asher, who worked as a substitute teacher at Boggy Creek Elementary near Kissimmee.
Asher was arrested and charged with three counts of child molestation, deputies said.
A parent called law enforcement accusing him of molesting her daughter, deputies said.
“The first thought that comes to mind, was my kid involved?” said parent Yamerys Zayas.
The school district told Orlando's WFTV that there is more than one victim, but deputies haven't confirmed that yet. Syedyaseen-Asher reportedly admitted to touching two girls. Regardless, parents are on edge.
Parents said Asher taught first grade at the school.
"My daughter has friends in that class. She was scared to go back to school today," said parent Lisa Schneider.
Zayas said she had to have a talk with her kids following the incident.
“We all had the talk. I told the kids, I asked the kids, ‘Did anybody touch you?’” Zayas said.
According to a police report, Syedyaseen-Asher intially inappropriately touched a 7- and 8-year-old girl. One of the victims told officials the substitute teacher would even try to kiss her and that she "needed to drink water so that she could get out of class so Mr. Archer wouldn't touch her anymore."
WFTV learned Monday that four more victims came forward: three 6-year-old girls and one 8-year-old girl.
Zayas and her husband found out through a phone call from the school.
“They say in the message, the parents (of) the kids involved were already notified,” Zayas said.
Officials said Asher passed the school district's background check and has been a substitute teacher at Boggy Creek Elementary since December.
"Sheriff Russ Gibson and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Osceola County School Department are committed to protecting our children from persons who are willing to harm them," the Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "Our deputies and detectives work relentlessly to investigate and hold persons responsible who victimize our children."
The age of Asher has become a concern to some leaders around the county. Substitutes in Osceola County can be as young as 18.
"There could be people who would opine that under no circumstances an 18- or 19-year-old has the maturity to work in a school," said Osceola County School Board Member Kelvin Soto. "My experience is different."
Soto argued that with people of that age being able to serve in the military, they should be given the opportunity to become subs. He believes it is an excellent opportunity for recent high school graduates to explore a career in education.
He also conceded in a perfect world that substitutes would be older and more experienced.
Soto told WFTV that there are no plans to increase the age minimum or education requirements for Osceola County.
Asher's bond was set at $45,000, and he is facing three counts of child molestation. Deputies said Asher was no longer in custody and bonded out over the weekend.
Another arrest warrant was issued after the additional victims came forward Monday. Asher turned himself in later that afternoon.
In accordance to his bond, a judge said Asher is not to return to Boggy Creek Elementary or have any contact with a minor under the age of 18.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.
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