Man accused of child porn treated kids with autism at Miami-Dade schools

2024-08-14

Shocking Allegations: Former Miami-Dade School Autism Specialist Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

In a disturbing turn of events, a former 62-year-old school autism specialist in Miami-Dade County, Florida, has been arrested and incarcerated at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The arrest comes after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was alerted to images depicting child sexual abuse on the suspect's Instagram account.

Uncovering a Troubling Abuse of Trust

Allegations of Possession of Child Pornography

The investigation revealed that the suspect, Robert Lee Turner, was in possession of images depicting the sexual exploitation of children between the ages of 6 and 12 years old. This is a deeply concerning development, as Turner was entrusted with the care and education of vulnerable children in his role as a school autism specialist.

The Miami-Dade Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office worked diligently to build a case against Turner, leading to his arrest on Tuesday. Correctional officers booked him on eight charges, including five counts of possession of material that shows performance by a child, two counts of promoting material that shows sexual performance by a child, and one count of resisting an officer without violence to his person.

The arrest was the result of a raid on Turner's home in the Three Lakes neighborhood of Miami-Dade County, which took place at around 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday. During the arrest, Turner suffered injuries and was treated at the Jackson South Medical Center before being taken into custody.

Termination from Miami-Dade County Public Schools

In the wake of these allegations, Miami-Dade County Public Schools announced that Turner had been employed by the district since 2017 and was terminated on the same day as his arrest. This swift action by the school district underscores the gravity of the situation and the need to protect students from individuals who may abuse their positions of trust.

The case has sent shockwaves through the community, as parents and educators grapple with the realization that a trusted professional may have been exploiting vulnerable children. The arrest has raised questions about the vetting process for school employees and the need for stronger safeguards to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions

On Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer set Turner's bond at ,000 and ordered him to be placed under house arrest with a GPS monitor. This decision reflects the seriousness of the charges and the court's concern for public safety.

The Miami-Dade Police Department and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office have worked closely on this case, demonstrating their commitment to investigating and prosecuting crimes against children. The investigation is ongoing, and it is likely that additional details will emerge as the legal proceedings continue.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to ensure that individuals entrusted with the care of children are held to the highest standards of conduct. The community must come together to support the victims, demand accountability, and work towards preventing such abuses of trust from occurring in the future.

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