Malik Belvin, a substitute with Manatee County Schools, was arrested Tuesday on the charge of lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age. Belvin is accused of pulling a 10-year-old female student into a closet and making an "inappropriate request."
On Monday, the principal of Abel Elementary School contacted the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office regarding concerns of inappropriate behavior involving a substitute teacher and a 10-year-old student. An investigation revealed that Belvin, 26, had been assigned to the classroom for several days the previous week. Upon the return of the regular teacher, multiple students reported feeling uncomfortable with Belvin's behavior during his time at the school.
The principal began following up on the complaints, and the victim disclosed that Belvin had pulled her into a closet and made an inappropriate request during school hours. After conducting multiple interviews, Crimes Against Children detectives established probable cause to charge Belvin with lewd and lascivious conduct. He was arrested and booked at the Manatee County Jail.
The school immediately notified the staffing agency that provided Belvin, and he was removed from the classroom and restricted from teaching pending the outcome of the investigation.
"The School District of Manatee County was notified that the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former contracted substitute," wrote a district spokesperson in a statement released to the media. "The District is fully cooperating with law enforcement. The individual in question has been barred from all District campuses, and we are actively reviewing our processes for background screenings. Our counselors are available to support students and staff as needed. The safety and well-being of our students will remain our highest priority."
2 comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.
san.gander
This reveals a desperate need for qualified teachers & subs in the Manatee Schools. One bad teacher or sub is a mistake... two could be a trend. The screening process of applicants must be tougher, or the attractions of the job must rise to a level where applicant numbers increase providing a choice of highly qualified persons of unquestionable proven character.
Friday, October 3, 2025 Report this
rjckeuka4
Who hired this person?? Who supervised him?? Yes, the screening process needs to be tougher...but somebody's asleep at the switch!
Friday, October 3, 2025 Report this