The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.
[09/06/19 9:45 p.m.] UMATILLA, Florida – Due to the nature of its content, LLN is declining to publish the video itself, to avoid further mental harm to students. However, even a cropped screenshot excerpt of the leaked video reveals that the unnamed woman appeared shocked at the salacious language being used, which is the subject of the ongoing investigation by Lake County Schools.
[09/06/19 4:56 p.m.] UMATILLA, Florida – Lt. John Herrell has informed LLN that the LCSO took a report, investigated the matter, and having determined that no criminal violation exists, has referred the matter to Lake County Schools.
09/06/19 2:45 p.m.] UMATILLA, Florida – A Umatilla Middle School teacher is under investigation by Lake County Schools after several social media videos went viral during the hurricane break.
Todd Erdman, employed since 2007, shared numerous videos on the social media platform TikTok, containing sexually explicit statements. The videos were spotted by a student who then shared them with friends and they spread throughout the community in a matter of hours. The videos were sent to LLN Thursday, by a concerned parent. The school district was made aware of the videos after a parent complained about the videos early Thursday morning.
Imani Williams, multi-media specialist and assistant public information officer for Lake County Schools told LLN that Erdman called in sick Thursday and Friday, but is under an active investigation. When he returns to work, he will be placed in a no-student contact position, Williams said. “We urge all of our teachers to operate with integrity.”
Geoff Rose, whose children were taught by Erdman, is appalled. “I find it disgusting. As a parent and youth coach, doing things like this is highly unacceptable,” Rose said. Rose has coached youth sports for 20 years.
Erdman has no prior disciplinary action, according to Williams. What happens next will be determined by outcome of the investigation. “We are working our hardest to do the most thorough investigation we can,“ Williams said. “We are here to do the best job possible.” Williams said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office also investigated. A call to LCSO was not returned by press time.
[Original Breaking Story] TAVARES, Florida – Sources are telling LLN that a Lake County middle school teacher is under investigation after inappropriate videos shared on the social media platform TikTok were viewed by numerous students during the hurricane break. A student stumbled upon the video and shared it with friends and it spread on social media in a matter of hours.
A concerned parent emailed two of the videos to LLN Thursday. One video, 16 seconds in length shows the teacher having a verbal exchange with an unknown female. The conversation has graphic sexual connotations that most would consider vulgar. The second video, just eight seconds, shows the teacher in a bathtub making another graphic sexual remark.
No one could be reached at Lake County Schools after hours.
This is a developing story.
