SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. — Brevard County teacher Jason Burchfield resigned from his job at Palm Bay High School after being charged with several counts of child abuse.
Burchfield was a teacher and baseball coach at the high school. He was employed with the school district for almost 20 years.
According to police, Burchfield, 45, made three visits in 2013 to a friend in Satellite Beach who has a teenage stepdaughter. Police said that during those visits, the girl was forced to undress and be naked in the presence of men for hours at a time.
"A 13-year-old was made to completely remove her clothes and consume alcohol while this person was present," Chief Jeff Pearson with Satellite Beach police said.
Two more individuals, Joseph Pallante and Teya Pallante, were arrested in February for alleged incidents involving the same child. Teya Pallante was charged with child abuse and neglect, while Joseph Pallante was arrested on charges of molestation and sexual battery.
According to police, during the incident where Burchfield was at the home, the girl was also forced to drink alcohol. Investigators said Burchfield acknowledged he was present and confirmed what the young girl alleged.
Burchfield has also taught at Bayside and Viera high schools in Brevard County. He submitted his resignation to the school board on Friday and bonded out of jail on Thursday.
WFTV
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