Miami-Dade County

Homestead P.E. Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Having Sex With 14-Year-Old Student

Joseph Edward Tolliver, 37, was arrested early Wednesday on a charge of lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12 to 16 years old, an arrest report said

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A Homestead physical education teacher and former University of Miami athlete bonded out of jail Thursday after he was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student.

Joseph Edward Tolliver, 37, was arrested early Wednesday on a charge of lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12 to 16 years old, an arrest report said.

Miami-Dade Corrections
Joseph Tolliver

Records show Campbell is a physical education teacher at Campbell Drive K-8 Center in Homestead.

According to the report, the teen girl said she and Tolliver, her P.E. coach, developed a personal relationship.

She said Tolliver visited her on several occasions and would enter through her bedroom window to avoid being seen by her mother, the report said.

On Feb. 4, the teen said she met Tolliver in the parking lot of her apartment complex where they had sex in his car, the report said.

"Shame on you, because you knew my daughter," said the victim's mother, who wanted to conceal her identity. "You know that she was a minor. You knew what you were doing was very wrong. I hope you pay for what you've done. You didn't think about your family, you didn't think about nobody. You only thought about yourself."

Tolliver was arrested and booked into jail, where he posted $7,500 bond and was released early Thursday morning, records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.

NBC 6 anchor Cherney Amhara has more on the disturbing allegations against the teacher.

"I need him to be held accountable for what he's done," the mother said. "Now I have to find a way for me and my child to be able to get some type of help for us. This is just too much for me to handle at the moment."

In a statement Wednesday, Miami-Dade County Public Schools officials said they've initiated employment termination proceedings, and will ensure Tolliver won't be able to seek future employment with the district. 

"We commend the Miami-Dade Police Department for their investigative work on this case, which occurred away from the school setting, and for bringing this individual to justice," the statement read. "Miami-Dade County Public Schools is profoundly disturbed by the abhorrent allegations made against this individual. This District goes to great lengths to promote a safe and secure learning environment and any actions that run contrary to that will not be tolerated."

According to MiamiHurricanes.com, Tolliver was a member of the school's football and track teams in the mid 2000s.

“As a father, I am deeply disturbed any time an educator betrays the public’s trust. Schools are considered to be a safe haven for our children, and us parents entrust the educators with the safety and security of our children. I am very proud of the Sex Crimes Unit diligent work on this case," Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez said in a statement.

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