Teacher Among Men Arrested in Sex Sting Operation

A group of North Central Florida Elementary School students went home with a letter Monday night that said their teacher had been fired.

The teacher is among 21 men arrested in a multi-agency sex sting operation based here in Gainesville.

24 year old Lenard Norman, a second grade teacher at Metcalfe Elementary School in Northeast Gainesville has been arrested on child sex charges.

Some Metcalfe parents said they didn't get a letter from the school about Norman's arrest. 

Rossean Coffil said, "I'm glad that you're telling me but something should've been done from the school, letting everyone know."

45 year old Matthew Gendron, a Physician's Assistant at UF who works in the department of Anesthesiology , was also arrested.

When he was hired in 2001 UF didn't go back ground checks.

In a statement to TV20, a UF spokesperson said UF's current requirement for criminal checks on new faculty and staff hires started last year.

Mother Arrested in Gainesville

An 18 year old is in jail after her 3 year old son was found wandering alone outside of their apartment complex.

Gainesville Police officers said Amber White left her son home alone Monday morning when she went to school.

A maintenance worker found the child crying by a garbage dumpster and called police.

Officers put the boy in protective custody and then tried to find his mother.

White told police it was a misunderstanding, saying she thought someone was with the child.

The boy is now staying with relatives.  White is charged with child neglect (a third degree felony).