DELAND, Fla. — Volusia County deputies are looking for additional victims after a teacher was arrested for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl, the Sheriff's Office said.
Stephen M. Ward, 69, was arrested Saturday night after deputies say he allegedly sent sexually suggestive messages to the 14-year-old, deputies said.
Deputies said Ward was a physical education teacher and volleyball coach at Stetson Baptist Christian School, a private school in DeLand, when he sent the messages.
Deputies went to the victim's home around 1 a.m. Saturday after her mother discovered the text messages, according to Sheriff's Office Spokesman Andrew Gant.
The victim told deputies she had been in a relationship with Ward for about two weeks, but the two had never touched each other, Gant said.
Detectives said Ward was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail. He is being held under a $10,000 bond.
Investigators ask other potential victims to call the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Child Exploitation Unit at 386-323-3574.
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