(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)
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Wow, look at all of these accusers of Mr. Layman, without any facts to back this up. Did any of you guys know that a few of the charges were dropped? Did any of you know that the investigation was giving rewards to people who would come forward to testify? It seems as if there was a total lack of evidence on much of these accusers testimony and thus charges have been dropped on some of them, outright
How about this one? They’ve had to move his children out of state because of this. And did you know, that he is still in jail as we speak without due process!!!!!
Remember, there is always two sides of any story instead of just one.
Why don’t you guys quit accusing Mr. Layman, until the trial can begin. If he’s found guilty, then YES, he must be punished to the full extent of the law.
Oh, and by the way, what if he is found innocent? Who’s going to pay him back for the home that was foreclosed on, or his lost time with his wife that loves him dearly, or missing his 3 kids, or time spent in jail?
Some people are living in the stone ages…..I think the term goes “Innocent until proven guilty” That term doesn’t apply to the geniuses on this board, though.
When I first heard the news, i held my breath and opened up a conversation with my children that I never imagined I would have to have at their young age of 5 and 6 years old. I can’t explain to you how sickening and how scary it is to have to ask your young babies if their beloved teacher had done anything inappropriate to them. I don’t know Mr. Layman personally but I do know this, children don’t lie. Why would any of you doubt the voice of a child. How can you say you knew him and trusted him. Did you know that most molesters will befriend you, make you trust in him, have your children trust him before doing anything to them. How can you (Deleted by site moderator) defend this scum bag. When i first heard the news I prayed to god it was not true, I prayed to god it was not true because I thought how sad that this man’s life would be ruined but then i thought about his children, my children and all the children that were affected by this disgusting creature. I challenge all you (Deleted by site moderator) people that are defending him to stop and think for a moment about what this (Deleted by site moderator) could have possibly done to our children while they were in class with him. Would you still trust him to be in a room with your little ones? I did, my children had music class with him every week. This sickens me ! I live to protect my children and to make sure they are always safe. School should be a place of peace, of innocence and for learning. Our children should love, respect and admire our teachers. What Mr. Layman did is unforgiving, he scarred children forever. How sad that his little girl had to live through this, knowing her daddy did something so bad that not only is he gone but she had to be pulled out of the school and move away from her world. Shame on you people for protecting him, shame on you people for speaking up for him. Just because he smiled at you and was nice to you doesn’t mean he was not doing this. Just because you were fortunate enough to not have your child molested doesn’t make him innocent, be thankful all you got was a smile from this (Deleted by site moderator) and be thankful he was caught. Rather then putting so much energy into defending him, why don’t you grab a bible and pray for those children whose life he has changed forever.
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Okay I think you’re all certifiable. And to the woman who thinks children as young as 5 or 6 are theiving little criminals, I think you should get out the field of education. You are what’s wrong with that field in the first place. Some advocate for children YOU are! I can only hope the children who are forced to share your presence on a daily basis are smarter than you seem and know enough to ignore your instruction.
You peole – you people who THINK you know Mr. Layman! I love it! GET A CLUE! He’s a disgusting, horrible, child toucher. He ruined his children’s lives! HIS OWN CHILDREN! Because he couldn’t help himself – (deleted by site admin)! That selfish (deleted by site admin)! And you’re all standing up in support of him. how can you say, “would it be so terrible to hook A CHILD (WTF??) to a lie detector?” Ummm YEAH! IT WOULD! The child is not on trial (deleted by site admin)! Hook the molestor up to the machine (deleted by site admin)!
Everyone I know who ever met him would later tell me they thought he was a weirdo. I know him – he’s sick. And now he’ll rot in a cell.
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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.
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 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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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’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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.