Florida gym teacher is arrested for allegedly having sexual relationship with 15-year-old student

A high school gym teacher has been arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. 

Arin Hankerd, a football coach and gym teacher at Atlantic High School in Port Orange, Florida, was arrested on Sunday after police received a complaint about an alleged inappropriate relationship that started in January. 

Hankerd had been employed at the school for two years. He previously coached football at Mainland High School and Father Lopez Catholic High School. 

Since his arrest, parents of former students have alleged officials ignored their complaints against the teacher.

‘We complained about him repeatedly to the school (Atlantic High) along with so many other parents,’ one person wrote on Facebook. ‘They launched an investigation and sent someone down from Tallahassee to ask my daughter questions, she expressed how uncomfortable he made her feel and how he made advances towards her and they did NOTHING!’ 

Hankerd was arrested on several charges and is being held on a bond of $115,000. 

Hankerd taught and coached at Atlantic High School. He was previously employed at Mainland High School and Father Lopez Catholic High School. Former students and parents have since come forward claiming ‘it was about time’ 

Some people alleged Hankerd’s former employers have been ‘sweeping his dirt under the rug for over a decade’ while claiming police and school officials need to be held accountable for ignoring complaints.

‘I went to Atlantic from 2016-2020,’ a former student wrote on Facebook. ‘There were multiples incidents that happened over the years and the school cared more about covering things up more than anything else. I truly disliked much of the admin for this reason.’ 

A parent added: ‘He’s one of the main reasons that my child was pulled from Atlantic high school! We reported him and his inappropriate behaviors towards my daughter to the office about a year ago. Happy to see he’s finally being held accountable.’ 

One former student from Mainland High School chimed in shocked it took authorities so long to bust Hankerd. 

‘Anyone who went to Mainland is NOT surprised by this at all..surprised it took him this long to get caught,’ the former student wrote. 

To which another alleged: ‘I graduated high school in 2010 and this guy was a problem back then.’ 

Others questioned how Hankerd moved around to different schools freely despite complaints against him. 

‘So when a teacher applies for a position at another school. Does the new principal hiring not call the old job and say… ‘how was this person as an employee’…and why wouldn’t the old work place say they had many complaints?’ one person questioned.

‘It’s disgusting to read how many young people are saying they reported this and nothing was done for years,’ another person added. 

Some people alleged Hankerd’s former employers have been ‘sweeping his dirt under the rug for over a decade’. Pictured: Hankerd, left 

Volusia County Schools addressed Hankerd’s arrest on Sunday and announced he was suspended indefinitely.

‘This evening, Volusia County Schools learned about a teacher from Atlantic High School being arrested for alleged inappropriate behavior with a student,’ the district wrote in a statement. ‘

This teacher has been suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of an investigation. The safety and security of our students and staff is of utmost importance to us and as such, we will be cooperating fully with the local authorities as part of this investigation.’