PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A former teacher at Putnam County school was arrested in North Carolina Tuesday after the Putnam County Sheriff's Office after texts of a "sexual nature" with a teen.
Robert Bush, 54, was arrested on a authority figure soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student charge. He taught at Q.I. Roberts Junior-Senior High since 2016 and was employed by the Putnam County School District for 15 years. He taught multiple fields, PCSO said.
Bush was placed on administrative leave by the school district when the investigation began. Bush chose to resign before it was completed, the agency said.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, a tip on Oct. 14 alleged inappropriate texts between Bush and a student with some of the texts sexual in nature. Detectives seized Bush's phone Oct. 29 at PCSO headquarters. Bush then left for North Carolina. He returned on Nov. 3, but then left again on Nov. 15.
The agency said he was aware of a criminal investigation and a warrant was obtained Tuesday.
While talking to Bush on the phone, deputies said, Bush told detectives he was “out of town,” and did not complete an interview or provide a return date. Detectives contacted Transylvania County, North Carolina authorities, who were able to find Bush and arrest him.
Bush is being held in North Carolina on $150,000 bond.
“It is reprehensible that a person in an authority position who interacts on a daily basis with teens and builds trust could abuse that power to groom a vulnerable youth,” Sheriff Gator DeLoach said in a press release. “At this time of their life, teenagers are in an awkward position where they are at odds with their parents and are looking for guidance from those they perceive to trust. He has abused that trust for not only himself but also for those who selflessly dedicated their time to educating our students.”
PCSO encourages parents whose children have had interaction with Bush to discuss "any possible inappropriate actions or texts." Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 386-329-0800 and ask for Detective Gogan.