Robertsdale teacher charged with sodomy, sex acts with student during school hours
J.B. Biunno - WKRG News 5
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ROBERTSDALE, AL (WKRG) - A teacher at Central Baldwin Middle School in Robertsdale has been arrested for an allegedly engaging a student in sexual acts in his classroom during school hours.
John Daniel Hamilton, 51, faces multiple charges, including second-degree sodomy and school employee engaging in a sexual act with a student. He faces up to twenty years in prison on the felony charges.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors said another student came to school officials upon discovering a sexual relationship between Hamilton and a female student at the school. "The child did not come forward another student came forward and reported it," said District Attorney Bob Wilters.
Baldwin County School Superintendent Eddie Tyler says the student's allegations were turned over to Robertsdale Police the same day, spurring a two-week investigation that ended with Hamilton's arrest Tuesday morning. "All our employees are background checked but that is no predictor of future behavior," said Tyler.
Investigators say they discovered that Hamilton and the female victim, who isn't being identified due to her status as a minor, engaged in multiple sex acts in Hamilton's history classroom during school hours. The sex acts include sodomy, prosecutors said.
The alleged relationship is said to have extended outside of school, but investigators don't believe any sexual encounters occurred off school grounds.
At the conclusion of the press conference, Hamilton was seen being transported to the Baldwin County Detention Center to await his bond hearing, which is expected to occur Wednesday morning.
Hamilton, also known as "Danny" or "Mr. Hamilton," is a well-known history teacher and bus driver that's been with the Baldwin County Public School System since 2000. He was placed on administrative leave on February 5th.
People at the school are stunned and saddened to hear about what happened.
"I am shocked. My heart aches that he has found himself in this situation," said a school source that wished to remain anonymous. "He was a favorite of the students. Loved by all. Everyone liked him. Always happy and smiling."
Hamilton is expected to make his first appearance in court Wednesday for a bond hearing.
