Any time that an educator abuses their position to take advantage of a child is disturbing, to say the least. However, one Florida middle school teacher has reached a new low. Not only did Leslie Bushart, 49, allegedly engage in sexual acts with a teen boy, but she did it in his home, while the parents were present. What’s more, Bushart reportedly admitted as much to the parents immediately after the incident.
A Joyous Occasion Spoiled
The abuse allegedly occurred at a graduation party for the victim’s older sister at the family’s home on June 6. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Bushart had become intoxicated while attending. At one point, police say, Bushart left the party with the 15-year-old younger brother to smoke marijuana.
“She attempted to smoke marijuana, but was so drunk that she couldn’t get it lit,” a police press release said. “At that point she began performing oral sex on the victim.”
The statement goes on to describe how Bushart then returned to the party and told attendees what had happened.
“Bushart told another person at the party that she had just performed oral sex on the teenage victim,” the release said. “That person then informed the mother of the victim. The mother confronted Bushart, who then quickly left the party.”
Facing the Consequences
According to People, Bushart has since reached out to the victim’s mother on Facebook, explaining that she had been intoxicated. However, this didn’t stop the parents from involving police, who arrested Bushart last Thursday, June 25. She is now being held on $15,000 bond.
“Leslie Bushart victimized a teenage boy,” Sherrif Grady Judd said in a press release. “She betrayed her profession, as well as her friends during what was supposed to be a very special day. There is technically one victim in this case, but the entire family and school community have suffered from this.”
Meanwhile, Polk County Public Schools, where Bushart had been a middle school reading teacher for 29 years, has reportedly placed her on administrative leave. People reports that the district has also made moves towards terminating Bushart’s employment altogether.
Leslie Bushart — Sources
Facebook – Polk County Sheriff’s Office
People
Polk County Sheriff’s Office