Dean at Harmony Middle School arrested on molestation charges, sheriff says

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - The dean at Harmony Middle School has been arrested on lewd and lascivious molestation charges, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.

Bradley Scott Linville, 51, was arrested on Wednesday. Officials said the alleged crime happened on school grounds. 

Officials say Linville touched the victim in his genital area on three different occasions. They said the victim spoke about it to his peers and authorities were then notified.  

Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez didn't mince words. 

"I wouldn't want anyone touching my kid like that. It's pretty sad and it's sick," he said.

The Osceola County School District said Linville was first hired as a teacher at Michigan Ave Elementary in 1995, and worked continuously in the district from 2005, onwards.  He has held administrative jobs at School Services, Discovery Middle School, Gateway High School, Tohopekaliga High School, and Harmony Middle School.

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"So he's been around children for quite some time," Sheriff Lopez said.

Sheriff Lopez said all the charges currently involve just one student, but he hopes more may come forward after Linville's arrest.

"It's really important that if anyone has any information or felt that they were inappropriately touched by this man at one time in their lives, it doesn't matter how old they are now," he said, "they need to come forward to we can have some closure and make sure these victims are getting the justice they deserve."

The district said Linville has been suspended from his job and his contract with the district will not be renewed.

Linville was booked in the Osceola County Jail on a $15,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing. 

Watch FOX 35 News for updates.