PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A man employed with the St. Lucie County School Board was arrested Monday for molesting a 6-year-old.
The investigation began in July when a mother told Port St. Lucie Police (PSLPD) her child said they were touched inappropriately by a man who had also exposed his sexual organs.
The man was identified as 25-year-old Antonio Devarous Fields of Fort Pierce, who had been a bus aide with the St. Lucie County School Board since October 2023.
According to PSLPD, the incident occurred in January at a private residence of the victim's family member. The family member was babysitting the child, and Fields was a family friend residing at the home.
Fields and the family member had since moved to different addresses, and PSLPD spent the past months investigating and attempting to locate Fields' current residence.
After locating Fields Monday and interviewing him, he was taken to the St. Lucie County Jail where he is being held on a $750,000 bond.
Fields faces two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under 12 years old and one count of lewd and lascivious exhibition on a victim under 16 years old.
PSLPD says there is no evidence leading detectives to believe there are any other victims, however, anyone with reason to believe their child may have been a victim of Fields is encouraged to contact the police.
St. Lucie Public Schools sent WPTV a statement on the arrest:
On Monday, 11/18/2024, St. Lucie Public Schools was notified of the arrest of a bus aide on several felony charges stemming from alleged reprehensible conduct that was unrelated to the school district. The employee was immediately removed from his duties and will be recommended for termination. Parents of any students who had contact with the employee were notified by the school district in accordance with Florida Statute 1012.797. The Port St. Lucie Police Department is actively investigating this matter, therefore, SLPS is unable to answer any questions at this time.
