A Marion County substitute teacher is accused of inappropriately touching female students, and investigators think there could be other cases.

  • Substitute teacher at Lake Weir High arrested
  • Timothy Cooke faces battery charges
  • Deputies say he inappropriately touched female students

Timothy Cooke, 58, who worked at Lake Weir High School, was arrested Wednesday and charged with simple battery and simple battery on a juvenile.

According to Sheriff's deputies, a student grading papers Jan. 19 reported that Cooke came up behind her and grabbed her buttocks. When she tried to move, he pulled her back, she said. During a follow-up investigation, another student came forward and said while she was in a classroom with Cooke, he wrapped his arms around her and touched her breast. When she tried to get away, he squeezed her tightly before she pried herself away. She was so shaken that she transferred to another school, she said.

Since 2009, the Sheriff's Office has investigated five cases of simple battery on Lake Weir High students by Cooke, including the two listed above, which resulted in charges, it said. Another case remains open, and two others were closed due to lack of prosecution.

Earlier this week, another Marion County high school teacher was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation.

Marion County Public Schools fired Cooke Wednesday. The district is working with the Sheriff's Office in its investigation, and deputies think there could be other students out there who have had inappropriate contact with Cooke who haven't come forward. Anyone who wants to come forward or know someone who may have had improper contact with Cooke is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at Sheriff’s Office at (352) 732-9111 or report the incident anonymously at Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352) 368-STOP.