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Austin teacher on administrative leave after improper relationship, child abuse allegations

An Austin middle school teacher has been placed on administrative leave after improper relationship and sexual child abuse allegations, according to AISD officials.

An Austin ISD middle school teacher has been placed on administrative leave after he was charged with improper relationship with a student and continuous sexual abuse of a child, a representative of AISD confirmed with KVUE Monday.

AISD identified the teacher as Pedro Esteban Rosas Martinez, a Spanish teacher at Dobie Middle School. A representative with the district said Rosas Martinez started teaching at AISD last August.

Travis County officials said that the Austin ISD Police Department received a report on Oct. 31 of a 12-year-old Dobie Middle School student who had cell phone video of a teacher "inappropriately touching her." A detective was then sent to school, who later reviewed the victim's video and observed a male subject touching the victim's inner thigh.

Court documents state the victim was forensically interviewed at the Center for Child Protection on Nov. 6, where she reported that Rosas Martinez had been touching her below the waist on a continuous basis since approximately May 1. The victim stated that she decided to record the incident on Oct. 31 in order to make her outcry.

Police said that upon making contact with Rosas Martinez on the same day of the victim's recording, his voice and clothing matched the male subject's in the video.

According to a letter sent out by Dobie Middle School, the teacher has been on administrative leave with pay since Oct. 31, the same day the school said it received the allegations, and he has been recommended for termination.

The school said additional counselors are available for students who may need support, and that it would be holding a meeting for families at 5:30 p.m. on Monday in the library.

Rosas Martinez' bond was set at $150,000.

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