David Layman
(4/08/08 - Initial BBT Report)
David Layman, 35, a teacher at the Imagine Charter School in Weston, Florida and the Arts Academy of Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida has been has been arrested for the alleged molestation of a 7-year-old boy.
It is alleged that during a piano lesson in Layman’s home in Tamarac, Florida that Layman fondled the victim repeatedly.
Layman came to the attention of authorities when the boy told his mother of the alleged molestation and she subsequently contacted authorities.
Layman has been charged with lewd or lascivious molestation and lewd or lascivious conduct and was being held in the Broward County Jail.
04/17/08 - Additional Allegations
David Layman is facing more allegations as two 9-year-old boys have come forward since Layman’s arrest alleging that they too were sexually assaulted by Layman.
One of the 9-year-old boys says that the incident occurred during a music lesson at Imagine Charter School. The other boy says he was molested also, but the location has not been revealed by authorties.
One of the alleged victims told his mother that on numerous occasions when he was in first and second grade, Layman would allow him to sit on his lap and then would touch and rub his groin area.
Layman continues to be held without bond.
05/06/08 - More Charges
David Layman already facing 6 counts of child molestation has been charged with two new counts of fondling a child.
Layman continues to be held without bond.
References:
Piano Teacher Teacher Faces Fondling Charges (05/06/08)
Tamarac piano teacher accused of fondling boy faces more charges (04/17/07)
Piano Teacher Charged With Child Molestation (04/08/08)
He didn’t do this or anything any of you guys say ! Lies is all it is, I know him, personally. The way he talked about the people who did these kind of things. He always said that they were sick pervs who were stupid and crazy. He didn’t do it. So stop. He’s a great teacher and he knows how to protect his own kids and his students. He would never do anything like this so I dont now what the hell you guys are talking about.
I was in a program called ”Kati’s shining stars” and he worked there too. He sometimes came up with musical theatre activities and things like that. He also helped out in my school- Falconcove middle school,with the plays. I know him and i have talked and spent time with him in classes. I never would have thought that he would do something like that. He doesn’t quite seem like the person who would do that.
My kids go to Imagine Charter school and this takes me by surprise. I did question my kids about any inappropriate behavior he may have had with them, and the only thing they said about him was that they liked him a lot as a teacher. They said he never did anything to them or anyone else that they know. I am fairly satisfied with that.
One thing I will say is that in this day and age any show of affection to kids that are not your own (especially by men) is viewed with suspicion, which is unfortunate (of course this is not to say that nothing happened since I do not know). I also tend to be an affectionate person and friendly with kids and my wife is always pulling me back because of our society today and what could be misinterpreted by someone who doesn’t know me.
One last thing to note. Just as our adult society today is less trustworthy, our kids are growing up in an environment where they need to be less trusting of adults and this could also have been a misunderstanding on the part of the child. Lastly, just like adults are less trustworthy, I have noted more and more kids who should not be trusted and make stories up for one reason or another, let’s say they didn’t want to take piano lessons and were being forced to do it.
There are a lot of questions to be answered, and until the truth comes out or the courts make their decision, I stand by my kids opinion of David, but will watch with a close eye and keep teaching my kids about untrustworthy adults.
My children both go to imagine charter since 2001, they have been with Mr. Leyman since he is a teacher at this school, and nothing has ever happened he is one of the favorite teachers. I turely hope there is a mistake here, because justice has seen innocent people blamed for the most horrible crimes being innocent. It seems that Mr. Laymans life and his family’s depends on the judging of a 7 year old. I truely pray so that this boy knows the difference between affection and molestation- It has my heart broken to realize the seriousness of the injury if one or the other makes a mistake. But if it was not Mr. Layman the harm is already done.
this perv was my old teacher me and my friends thaugt he was gay and wierd but to be so weird at the point to sexually harras a kid or to show affection man thats just wrong that guy needs help his a wierdo
How easy it is to just take a child’s word and ruin a person’s life.
I know David and he would never do anything like this.
Isn’t it a shame how in this world you can’t even hug a child without wondering if the kid may turn it all around and you find yourself behind bars.
I suppose it’s unheard of to have the child take a lie detector test isn’t it? Out of the mouths of babes can spawn some vicious lies.
David is a smart guy, how stupid do you think it would be to try something with the parent in the next room? Give me a break!
Has anyone ever seen the film ” The Children’s Hour ” with Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacClain? If not, go rent it….see just what a “precious ” child can do!
I’ve know David and his family personally for a few years now and I know that he would never do anything like this. His only desire is to bring enrichment to the lives of his students through musical education. He has nothing but the utmost respect for his students and their parents. I’m appalled that such action was taken on the word of a seven year old child, without any further investigation.
Unfortunatly some children are not as sweet and innocent as we’d like to believe. They are exposed to things on television like child characters calling social services with false claims to get adults in trouble because they don’t like them, or don’t what to do what they’re being told. I wouldn’t be suprised if this child never wanted to take piano lessons and figured he’d tell his mom this disgusting lie to get out of it. I hope he realizes the consequences of making false claims that could ruin someone’s life, family and career.
I work at a school and have had children as young as 5 or 6, steal, use foul language, lie directly to me, and make up wild stories to cover it up. I also had a friend in middle school who self inflicted injuries and said one of the teachers had done it. Fortunatly there were enough of us who knew she was lying and defended the teacher so nothing ever came of it.
I know David Layman, my kids go to Imagine Charter School at Weston, and I only can say that all the children love him, Music was their favorite subject and they all were looking forward to go to his classes. Now at the beginning I felt so confuse, then after talked with my children and with a lot of parents from the same school I am sure that this is a misunderstanding and this man has a family who is suffering for this. I pray everyday for him and his family and that all this nigthmare would end soon and He finally get free of charges.
David we are with you.
I hope you’re all eating your words now that two more children have come forward. This man is molesting innocent children and you’re taking his side - you should all be assessed psychologically. How on Earth could anyone take the side of a grown man when a child comes forward and says someone touched him and it made him uncomfortable? For this child’s parents and the parents of the additional two children, I sincerely hope you found some support because it seems that in this world, the word of child is (****) and people defend sexual predators. David has issues - his family should have seen this coming and got him help before it took this turn - before he ruined the lives of God only knows how many children. Children don’t just “get over” being molested by a teacher they loved and respected. This is a terrible tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with the children and their families as well as David’s family who has suffered, I’m certain, a great deal due to his sick and selfish actions. David - you’re going to pay for your selfish behavior in a big, big way.
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Hahaha! 4 KIDS! 4!! 4 people! Wake up! All the parents who supported him - where are you now? Still writing letters to the paper? Huh? Come on…speak up!
I don’t think it’s a matter of one person’s word vs. another. Anyone can accuse anybody of wrongdoing. In this country you get a trial before you are convicted. You don’t get convicted in the newspaper or on television.