JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A Duval County Teacher of the Year for a local elementary school is now in jail on child sex charges.
Police arrested Christopher Robert Bacca, 26, on three felony counts of sexual battery on a victim under 12, one count of lewd and lascivious battery, one count of lewd and lascivious molestation with an offender younger than 18 and victim less than 12, and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct involving an offender 18 or older and a victim less than 16.
Police say one victim told police he showered with Bacca on several occasions while staying at his house. The victim says Bacca touched him inappropriately and performed oral sex on him on more than one occasion.
Bacca is a 2012 Duval County Teacher of the Year at Windy Hill Elementary. The Duval County School District says it first hired Bacca in 2008 as a 4th grade teacher at Long Branch Elementary School. He transferred to Windy Hill Elementary in 2010.
"The safety of our students is a top priority and the district took immediate action upon learning of these allegations," said Jill Johnson, district spokesperson. The district says Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals is recommending Bacca be suspended without pay pending termination at the August 7 School Board meeting.
