Former after-school care teacher sent ‘inappropriate’ messages to 13-year-old, Hillsborough deputies say
RIVERVIEW, Fla. (WFLA) — Deputies arrested a Hillsborough County after-school care teacher after he allegedly sent inappropriate messages to a 13-year-old student via TikTok, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said Marcos Suarez Arroyo, 20, sent “inappropriate TikTok messages” to the student from January 2023 to February 2023.
The inappropriate messages were later reported on Dec. 12, 2023, after the suspect was allegedly fired for poor performance.
“After that is when administrators started hearing rumors going around the school that he was having inappropriate conversations with students via the TikTok app,” Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Chief Communications Officer Amanda Granit said.
So they reported it to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
That’s when the Granit said the sheriff’s office got involved.
“We learned he was messaging a 13-year old student through TikTok inappropriate messages, trying to get this teenager to send him inappropriate pictures, trying to solicit an inappropriate relationship with this teenager,” she said.
“The despicable actions of this man are infuriating and disgusting as he sought to prey upon a vulnerable minor, all while holding the trusted position of a teacher,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “I am grateful to our detectives who work tirelessly to protect and defend the innocent children in our community to ensure that parents are able to confidently send their children to school knowing they will be safe.”
In a letter released to 8 On Your Side, BridgePrep said Suarez Arroyo has not been on campus since Nov. 20, 2023 and was banned from school premises.
Deputies said they do not believe Suarez Arroyo had any other victims, but if anyone else had information on the suspect, they were asked to call HCSO at 813-247-8200.
This arrest comes as Florida lawmakers move forward with an amended bill that bans anyone under the age of 14 from creating a social media account and requires 14 and 15-year-olds to have an opt-in from a parent.
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“Social media is like a predator’s best friend,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
In a Polk County press conference, the governor warned reporters on the dangers of social media.
“When I was growing up, a predator could be in the neighborhood and try to do something which was obviously a problem,” he said. “But now a predator could be in your home virtually talking directly to a 12 or 13 year old kid.”
“That’s a huge huge problem,” he continued.
Even if the governor signs that bill, the fight probably won’t be over.
Florida’s House Speaker Paul Renner said he’s expecting a barrage of lawsuits from big tech companies, challenging the law.
“States around the country are fighting to keep kids safe from the dangers of social media,” he said. “The Florida Legislature passed the strongest legislation in the nation focused on the addictive features that are proven to harm the development of children.”
“While I believe we made this bill the strongest product possible to withstand scrutiny from Big Tech, we know that the moment Governor DeSantis signs this bill into law, Silicon Valley billionaires will launch a barrage of self-serving legal challenges to protect their bottom line,” Speaker Renner continued. “In Florida, we will protect our children and are urging other states to join us.”
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