An elementary school teacher was arrested at his Phoenix home after he allegedly admitted to inappropriately touching his students "hundreds of times" over the years.
According to court documents, Manuel Gavina, 49, allegedly touched the breasts of at least four female students, who were between the ages of 12 and 13.
The court documents did not say where Gavina was teaching at the time of the allegations. The Arizona Department of Education website showed a valid teaching certificate for a man by the name of Manuel Gavina through 2025.
Phoenix District #1 said in a statement to 12 News that the school principal received a report from a student of inappropriate touching by Gavina on Dec. 9.
The principal immediately followed the reporting process and Phoenix police were contacted, the statement read.
Gavina was then placed on unpaid leave and has not returned to the campus.
"The district learned of additional allegations through the media today. The district had requested all documentation from the police investigation, which is ongoing," the statement continued.
"The district is carefully investigating the allegations regarding prior school years. At this time, the current district administration has no knowledge of allegations prior to December 9, 2019, when the principal followed the duty to report."
The first victim, who is 12 years old, told authorities on Dec. 9 that Gavina allegedly touched and rubbed her breast over her clothes multiple times while teaching in the classroom.
The girl allegedly told Gavina to stop, but the touching continued. She also was told about a former student who was aware of similar incidents.
The second victim, who is now 14 years old, told authorities on Dec. 9 that Gavina allegedly touched her breast over her clothes multiple times last year while he was teaching in the classroom, according to court documents.
The second girl said she reported the incident to school officials and was advised of another former student who experienced similar incidents.
The third victim, who is now 14 years old, told authorities on Dec. 9 that Gavina allegedly touched her breasts over her clothes multiple times about two years ago while teaching in the classroom.
The third girl said she and the second girl reported the incident to school officials and the touching stopped, according to court documents.
Gavina was arrested at his Phoenix home on Dec. 10. He acknowledged knowing the three girls who came forward and indicated that there was a fourth female student who complained of him touching her breast.
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Gavina told authorities that each of the girls is or was a student in his math class. He said he might have accidentally touched their breasts with his elbow or hand while helping them with their classwork or when he was complimenting them, according to court documents.
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Gavina said he was confronted by his wife and a coworker about the girls' allegations about two or three years ago, but agreed the touching did not stop.
"When asked how many times he has touched his students breast over the years", Gavina said "hundreds of times," according to the court documents.
Gavina was booked on three counts of sexual abuse.
He was ordered to post $75,000 bond to be released on electronic monitoring and is set to appear in court next on Dec. 17.