CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Ashburn Elementary School technology director and track and basketball coach, 39-year-old Idris Bridgeforth, is accused of fondling, sexting and soliciting sex from a 14-year-old student.
"I did find it strange that he had a van load of girls, dropping them off at home - and what happens with the last girl?" Charles Porter said, whose 15-year-old daughter ran track for Bridgeforth last year.
He has also had several conversations with the disgraced Chicago Public Schools employee who sits behind bars on $250,000 bond. Porter has been charged with indecent solicitation of a child and criminal sexual assault.
"Overall he seemed like a pretty nice guy but that's the whole problem. These guys, you have these people, who seem alright," Porter said.
The girl was 10 years old when she met Bridgeforth, so they have known each other for a while, and built what she felt was a sort of father-daughter relationship.
The victim's mother discovered the explicit text messages on her daughter's iTouch and contacted the school who called police.
Prosecutors say on Saturday, Bridgeforth text the teen saying he wanted her in an intimate way for his birthday and suggested using a condom.
Bridgeforth was arrested Wednesday; school officials alerted parents via voicemail.
Ashburn principal Jewel Davis told FOX Chicago News that the school is devastated by these recent events.
There were other reports that Bridgeforth would also drive the girl home on occasion, which Davis said is not standard procedure. CPS employees are not permitted to transport students in their own vehicles.
On Thursday, counselors and crisis intervention personnel offered support to students and adults, some who say this is an isolated case of abuse. Davis hopes members of the school community will take advantage of the services provided, should they need counseling on Friday and through the weekend.
"Ashburn is a really good school. I don't know, they just picked the wrong teacher," alumna Tanja Carter said.
Parents and the rest of the community are worried that he may have formed a relationship like this one with other children.
Police continue to investigate the case.
