PINELLAS COUNTY, Fl. – Detectives have arrested a Pasco County Schools teacher and former Pinellas County Schools teacher for Sexual Battery Custodial Authority on a student.
According to detectives, the investigation began on January 7, 2022, after detectives received information regarding an inappropriate relationship that had occurred between 32-year-old Kyle Handfield and a student who was 14 years old at the time of the incident.
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that this relationship occurred from 2017 through 2018.
According to detectives, the investigation determined that Handfield initially began to communicate with the victim through a social networking website. Detectives say the victim stated Handfield engaged in inappropriate sexual activity with her while she was a student at Pinellas Park Middle School. Handfield was the 14-year-old victim’s teacher.
Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to corroborate the victim’s statements.
Handfield was arrested on February 5, 2022 at approximately 12:00 p.m. and charged with three counts of Sexual Battery Custodial Authority.
Kyle Handfield was a teacher at Pinellas Park Middle School from March of 2015 until August of 2020. Handfield has been employed with Pasco County Schools at Fivay High School since August of 2020.
Detectives are unaware if there are additional victims. Anyone with more information, please call Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Crimes Against Children Unit, Detective Leib at 727-582-6566.