Sebring teacher accused of lewd behavior with 2 students

SEBRING (FOX 13) - A Highlands County teacher was arrested and charged with lewd behavior with two minors, as well as false imprisonment.

The arrest marks one of several incidents involving teachers and students in Highlands County in the recent past.

Deputies said Lake Placid High School teacher Kenneth Oxsalida, 29, had inappropriate contact with two female students, inside the school and, in some cases, in front of other students.

Oxsalida was booked into the Highlands County Jail after turning himself in Thursday afternoon.

The inappropriate relationships happened with two female students, one 15 and one 16, according to police reports.

Oxsalida is accused of grabbing the butt of one of the female victim and forcing her to sit on his lap, then kissing her. He's also accused of using his finger to poke another student near her genitals.

Highlands County schools and law enforcement have dealt with several cases of alleged inappropriate conduct by teachers this year. In February, a middle school teacher was arrested after being accused of having sex with a student. Investigators said there have also been several investigations involving inappropriate text messages between students and teachers.

Sheriff Susan Benton said she does not understand how this kind of thing keeps happening.