A former teacher at a Hillsborough Christian school has been taken into custody for alleged child sexual abuse concerning a student.
A man named Denzel Proctor, aged 26, was taken into custody on Wednesday. He is facing charges of sexual battery by an authority figure and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
In a recent news release, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Proctor, a former music teacher at Grace Christian School in Valrico, engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student in 2022.
Authorities were alerted on July 3 about a case of sexual battery involving a pregnant 18-year-old woman and an authority figure. According to a news release, the woman informed detectives that she had a sexual relationship with Proctor during the years 2022 and 2024, both on and off campus. This relationship ultimately led to her becoming pregnant.
Following Proctor’s resignation in December 2023, the school informed the Department of Children and Families about the rumors of the relationship, as stated by the sheriff’s office.
“This individual targeted a vulnerable teenager, betraying the trust of our community,” stated Sheriff Chad Chronister in the news release. It is particularly heartbreaking when someone we trust to guide us betrays our trust.
According to records, Proctor was detained at the Falkenburg Road Jail without bond. Prosecutors have requested that he be detained without bond until his case is resolved. There is a hearing scheduled for Monday morning regarding the motion.