On June 19, 2025, Jared Tatum, an Orlando Catholic high school teacher and tutor, was arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with an underage female student. Tatum was taken into police custody by the department's fugitive investigative unit and held in the Lake County Jail. He faces two felony charges, touching of certain minors and attempted sexual battery on a victim over the age of 12. Law enforcement reviewed DNA results and obtained witness statements before making the arrest, according to public records. Tatum's criminal case is set for trial in July 2026. Tatum is 31 years old and resides in Tavares, Florida. He has been ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim or any witnesses.
According to media reports, Jared Tatum had his employment terminated by Bishop Moore Catholic High School after a 16 year old female student reported to school authorities in May 2025 that Tatum, an engineering teacher, inappropriately touched her during a tutoring session. According to an arrest affidavit, the abuse occurred inside his classroom after school hours on May 7, 2025. The affidavit alleges Tatum invited the student into his classroom while they were alone and suggested watching a movie. The student told investigators that Tatum removed her phone from her reach, kissed her on the lips, touched her breasts over her clothing, and moved his hand toward her inner thigh and vaginal area despite her attempts to stop him. The student also reported that she felt unable to leave the classroom during portions of the encounter.
Investigators stated that surveillance footage, witness interviews, and forensic DNA testing were obtained during the investigation. According to the affidavit, DNA testing allegedly identified mixed profiles on the student’s clothing that included Tatum as a possible contributor.
Bishop Moore High School reportedly notified authorities and terminated Tatum's employment on May 16. Detectives say there could be more student victims. Jared Tatum was previously employed as a security member at Universal Studios and a cast member at Disney World, according to his LinkedIn profile. Bishop Moore Catholic High School, a private Roman Catholic high school in the College Park neighborhood, is located within the territory of the Diocese of Orlando.
The Diocese of Orlando stated:
“"Jared Tatum was a teacher at Bishop Moore High School until May 16, 2025, when he was terminated for inappropriate interactions and conduct with a student."
Schools are educational institutions where children can learn and develop skills in a nurturing environment. It is expected that they are safe from violence, bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse. Teachers and coaches are entrusted with facilitating learning and supporting the educational needs of their students. Someone who sexually violates young children has no place working in the school system. Any school where such a crime is committed should take responsibility if it fails to properly screen potential teachers and protect its students.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing survivors of sexual abuse. We have handled multiple cases of sexual abuse by authority figures in schools. It is expected that any institution in which children learn and develop skills offer an environment in which they are safe from violence, bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse. Teachers and coaches are entrusted with facilitating learning and supporting their players’ educational and training needs. Anyone who sexually violates children has no place working in the school community or school athletic programs. Any organization committing such a crime must take responsibility for failing to screen potential teachers and coaches to protect their students properly.
If you or a loved one was sexually abused, assaulted, raped, or molested by a teacher, coach, principal, or other school employees, contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.