A day care worker who volunteers in schools paid a 12-year-old girl to pose for photographs while she was bound and gagged, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.
Steven J. Andrews, 29, of 426 Roanoke St., Dunedin, was charged three counts of sexual performance with a child, second degree-felonies.
"At least 20 or so of those were pornographic in nature and those were photographs of the 12-year-old girl wearing various outfits, including 'Hello Kitty' outfits," said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
Andrews was a volunteer with the band at Dunedin Middle and High School, had previously volunteered at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa and had a paying job at Children's Nest Day School, 7345 Jackson Springs Blvd. in Town 'N Country. Officials at all the schools say he passed all background checks.
The dress-up photo sessions included the girl in "Wonder Woman," "Beauty and the Beast" and pirate outfits, with Andrews agreeing to pay the child $100 for each session, deputies said. Investigators said when Andrews didn't pay up, the girl told her mother, who called authorities.
At least three meetings between the girl and Andrews took place between August and Sunday in a home in north Pinellas County, investigators said.
Tripp Couch, area director at Children's Nest Day School, learned of Andrews' arrest Wednesday morning.
"We were flabbergasted, I guess would be the best way to put it. I mean horrified and shocked and didn't like it at all. He immediately was discharged," Crouch said.
Andrews was being held in the Pinellas County Jail. In court Wednesday afternoon, he said he lived on a $987 monthly Veterans Affairs disability check. The judge appointed a public defender.
Detectives said there may be other victims. Anyone with information should call Cpl. Dennis Garvey at (727) 582-6200.
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