Teacher aide charged with molesting student at Manatee County school, sheriff’s office says

A teacher aide at a Manatee County elementary school has been charged with molesting a student, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Thursday.

Angel Rodriguez Mercado, 67, worked as a paraprofessional at Florine J. Abel Elementary School at 7100 Madonna Place in south Manatee County, the sheriff’s office said.

Mercado worked with a small group of children teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Lt. Mark Morie with the Crimes Against Children division said at a news conference on Thursday.

The sheriff’s office said that an investigation began on Nov. 7 after a third-grade student told a relative about allegedly being molested by Mercado.

Mercado was immediately reassigned to a different role where he was removed from contact with children, Morie said.

Abuse allegedly happened multiple times

Detectives interviewed the student and later interviewed Mercado.

The sheriff’s office said that during an interview on Wednesday, Mercado confessed to molesting the student.

“We determined through the interviews that it happened a couple of times,” Morie said. “That was supported by the suspect’s confession.”

Morie said Mercado told detectives that other students were present in the room during both incidents.

“There are some concerns that there may be some other students who haven’t come forward, so we’re looking into that,” Morie said.

He was arrested and booked into the Manatee County Jail on Wednesday. He remained there held without bail on Thursday.

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

Suspect’s history

Mercado was hired to work as a custodian at Daughtrey Elementary School in Bradenton in December 2016, the School District of Manatee County said in an email on Thursday that outlined Mercado’s work history.

In August 2017, he moved to Palm View K-8 School in Palmetto, where he started his role as a paraprofessional.

In January 2018, he started working as a bilingual ESOL paraprofessional at Palm View.

He transferred in 2019 to Abel Elementary, where he has worked as an ESOL teacher ever since, the district said.

Schools can hire paraprofessionals to “assist members of the instructional staff in carrying out their duties and responsibilities,” Florida law says. They are not required to hold a teaching certificate but may be required to pass a test or have an associate’s degree.

According to a job listing posted this week by Manatee County School District, responsibilities of the position can include assisting in the supervision of students on campus and in the classroom, working with students in groups or individually as directed by the teacher and escorting students to the library and other areas of the school.

School district response

In a message to parents and students obtained by the Bradenton Herald on Thursday, the district addressed Mercado’s arrest and asked parents “to speak to their children about molestation and how to report this crime.”

“The school and school district will fully cooperate with law enforcement throughout this case,” the message said.

“In addition, a district support team of psychologists and social workers will be available at the school to meet with students, staff and members of the school community as needed.

We urge you to let law enforcement take the lead in this matter and to continue your support of Abel Elementary School.”

In a statement, Superintendent Jason Wysong said the developments were “gut-wrenching.”

“My heart goes out to the victim, the victim’s family and the entire Abel Elementary School community during this painful and agonizing time,” Wysong said.

Florida molestation laws

In Florida, “lewd and lascivious molestation” of a minor under the age of 12 is a “life felony.” It carries a punishment of at least 25 years and up to life in prison.

Anyone with information about this case or related crimes can contact detectives at 941-747-3011, the sheriff’s office said.

The School District of Manatee County did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

This story was originally published November 16, 2023 at 11:34 AM.