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Police says teacher's aide raped
six-year-old student By:
Sara Dorsey
May 31, 2006
 Tampa,
Florida - Her name is Tamika Lane-Gardner, a mother of two police
say, who worked as a teacher's aid at Walton Academy for ten months
until an alert parent noticed something strange with her
six-year-old daughter.
- Larry McKinnon, Tampa Police:
- “...days she noticed a change in
her behavior and as a result questioned her child regarding this
incident and the child provided her with information that this
attack may have occurred.”
Since the case is still under
investigation, police are not saying much only that the alleged
battery occurred at the academy while Lane-Gardner was apparently
supervising the girl. School officials had no comment and neither
did other parents at the school, but police say the charge is severe
for a reason.
- Larry McKinnon, Tampa Police:
- “There was a penetration of the
child and that's what determines the case of sexual battery as
opposed to lewd and lascivious or inappropriate touching.”
We tried to talk to Lane-Gardner's
family members, who live next door to her home, but no one answered.
Neighbors like George Pristell, say the arrest is shocking.
- George Pristell, Neighbor of
Suspect:
- “Unless there is some proof of
that some visual proof fine but speculation I could never
conceive of her doing anything like that. Never.”
Tampa, Florida - Tampa Police say
Tamika Lane-Gardner, a teacher's aide at the Walton Academy for the
Performing Arts, sexually battered a six-year-old girl. Police say
the girl's mother reported the crime weeks ago and the investigation
concluded last week.
The charter school teaches children
from kindergarten through fifth grade and is located at 4817 North
Florida Avenue.
Police say Lane-Gardner was employed
by the school for the last ten months. Lanegardner faces capital
sexual battery charges. She is in the Hillsborough County jail with
no bond.
Police are concerned there may be
more victims. If you have any information, please call the Tampa
Police Department.
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