Nationwide — Malik Belvin, a 26-year-old substitute teacher from Sarasota, Florida, who worked at multiple schools, was arrested after he reportedly pulled a 10-year-old student into a closet and made an inappropriate request. Several other children also came forward, saying they felt uneasy around him.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office charged Belvin with lewd and lascivious conduct after interviewing students at Abel Elementary School. Investigators said they gathered enough evidence to establish probable cause, leading to his arrest on September 30. He was booked into the Manatee County Jail.
According to WLBT, district officials reported that the incident at Abel Elementary took place on September 26. School staff immediately alerted law enforcement after a student came forward. Belvin was removed from all district campuses while the case remains under investigation.
Belvin was also on campus at Sugg Middle School on September 29, one day before his arrest. Staff there raised concerns after he allegedly made inappropriate comments, and he was removed from the school that same day.
Authorities said Belvin had been placed in schools through a staffing agency. The agency has since been notified of the allegations, and officials confirmed he will not be assigned to any future teaching roles.
In a statement, the school district said, “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.”
Law enforcement noted that no additional details will be released to protect the victim’s privacy. Counseling support remains available for both students and staff affected by the case.