JROTC instructor, 75, arrested after allegedly having inappropriate relationship with Miami-Dade student – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – A Senior Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at a Miami-Dade high school was arrested after allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

The instructor, retired U.S. Army Col. Eliezer Santana, had worked at South Miami Senior High School since 2006.

Miami-Dade Schools police arrested Santana, 75, in June after students and parents accused him of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Students who spoke to 7News on Wednesday found the news disturbing.

“I just don’t think he should have done that, and if they were going to be teachers and they knew they were going to be around kids, no,” Rosalin Ramos said.

“It’s really strange. I’ve never had a teacher do that before, and I really doubt how safe you can be around teachers,” said another student.

Students and parents were informed by the school of Santana’s arrest two weeks ago.

“The school notified the parents, and they told the parents the name of the teacher, and they had the teacher expelled,” Ramos said.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools released the following statement:

Miami-Dade County Public Schools is disturbed by the disturbing allegations against this individual. Upon learning of this suspected behavior, he was immediately removed from school grounds and subsequently arrested following an investigation by the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department. This district is committed to holding all employees to the highest standards of integrity and respect and this type of behavior will not be tolerated. As a result, his employment with the District was terminated and the individual was barred from seeking future employment with the District.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

One student, Keovin, spoke to 7News about Santana as an instructor and his thoughts after hearing the allegations.

“Have you ever had him as a teacher,” Jessica Vallejo told 7News.

“I did. Second year,” Kevin said.

“What was he like?” Vallejo said.

“A regular teacher, I think. Pretty strict,” says Kevin. “I just find it a bit disgusting, I guess. I don’t know, I have no other thought than that, I guess.

Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.