Brentwood Elementary School Employee Faces Molestation Charges
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A Brentwood Elementary School employee has been arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 12 years of age.
Police said a student at the school identified Brian Ashley Holt, 38, from Miramar, as the man who reached under a table and began to touch and caress her private parts over her clothing during class.
The arrest report says the incident took place on October 23rd at around 10 a.m. at the Miami Gardens school.
Holt, who is a teacher's aide at the school, was arrested on Tuesday and transported to Turner Guilford Correctional Center without incident.
He appeared before a Miami-Dade County judge on Wednesday morning.
Holt's attorney, who was hired by the United Teachers of Dade, says she told school police this did not happen.
"We were able to review their reports, and basically it is a 4-year-old child that has made allegations against Mr. Holt. There is no way they can substantiate it in any way." said attorney Kristie Kassebaum. "If we are going to make arrests, like this, I just don't think any men are going to be willing to teach in the school system anymore."
"He's been coaching football in this community for a long time. He is loved and he is just devastated that somebody would make these allegations against him."
Holt's attorney plans to fight the charges vigorously.
He will be on house arrest and will have to wear a GPS monitor.
The judge told him to stay away from the victim in this case.
On Wednesday afternoon, Daisy Gonzalez-Diego, Chief Communications Officer for Miami-Dade Public Schools released the following statement:
"Miami-Dade County Public Schools is deeply disturbed by the charge that has been filed against this individual. Conduct such as the one he is accused of will not be tolerated. As soon as the allegation surfaced, the employee was immediately removed from the school setting and Miami-Dade Schools Police launched an investigation. The District has initiated employment termination proceedings, and will ensure the individual is prevented from seeking future employment with this District."
Records show Holt was arrested once before in December of 2012 for drug possession.
Brentwood Elementary School is located in the 3100 block of NW 191st Street.
