North Texas school teacher accused of 'grooming' teens and sleeping at school – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Disturbing allegations have been made against a middle school coach accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student in Balch Springs.

Balch Springs police say a “disturbing” surveillance video at AC New Middle School in Mesquite ISD shows how far the inappropriate relationship went.

Sergio Gonzalez, 54, is in the Dallas County Jail on $60,000 bond and faces charges of fostering a child and tampering with evidence.

Texas passed a child care law in September 2023 that addresses child abuse.

The Dallas County District Attorney's Office can only confirm that this is not the first case of its kind in the county.

The allegations stem from an internal investigation by the school administration in August, during which videos from the summer were discovered and reported to the police.

This article also contains expert insights and tips for parents on child care.

In this case, Mesquite ISD provided NBC 5 with a timeline explaining the actions taken by administrators.

On Aug. 16, district social workers reported concerns about Gonzalez's relationship with a student that went beyond the scope of his job, but the concerns did not include allegations of criminal behavior, according to the district spokeswoman.

The district placed Gonzalez on administrative leave four days later after finding “violations of district policy,” which again included no reports of criminal behavior, according to Mesquite ISD.

The school district told police that Gonzalez was willing to talk and told them he was just “helping” the girl and her family.

The district reportedly contacted police and Child Protective Services (which is required) on August 22 regarding conflicting statements and suspected criminal activity.

A review of security camera footage on August 23 uncovered the alleged incident in July.

“The suspect and victim were walking down the hallway at school over the summer, holding hands and touching each other's buttocks. They come in with pillows, blankets and an air mattress,” said Officer Pedro Gonzalez of Balch Srings PD. “The video also shows that when they leave the classroom the next day they wear different clothes.”

According to the affidavit, the girl told her parents that she was going to spend the night with Gonzalez, but instead stayed with him at school.

Officer Gonzalez says when a band teacher happened to be on campus and saw the two together, Gonzalez allegedly identified the victim as his daughter.

“'Oh, that's my daughter,'” Officer Gonzalez said. “So there were no 'red flags' from the teachers.”

A young witness later told police that Gonzalez often provided transportation and that the victim had known the bus since she was a “water girl.”

According to the affidavit, the teen had also spent the night at his house and was with him “almost every day, including weekends.”

According to the affidavit, investigators determined that the two communicated by phone and through social media apps, including messages in which Gonzalez instructed the girl to delete her communications.

A call log showed conversations that ranged from a few minutes to 3.5 hours, according to the affidavit.

A witness told police Gonzalez would buy the victim gifts and gave her a necklace that belonged to his late mother.

The teenager reportedly felt “comfortable with the suspect as she did not like the situation at home.”

When police interviewed the girl, she reportedly downplayed the situation and expressed deep concern about what would happen to him, the document said.

“The victim was not cooperating and so it is very difficult for the investigator to put the pieces together,” Officer Gonzalez said.

NBC 5 asked the Alliance for Children of Tarrant County to provide general information and insight into “child care.”

“Usually it starts with gaining the trust of the adults responsible for the child,” said Katia Gonzalez of Alliance for Children. “Usually it's a person who is very charismatic and trustworthy, and then it's really about gaining the child's trust.”

It could be a relative, someone trusted, respected and liked in the community, she said.

Although the organization that supports victims of child abuse is not connected to this case, Gonzalez said it is not uncommon for victims to want to protect their abuser, who is often someone they know and trust , such as a family member or an educator.

“It's an inappropriate relationship, but with this child, this is a person who loves him, who cares for him, who spends a lot of time with him and gives him attention,” she said.

Gonzalez says that child predators generally tend to gradually overcome physical boundaries, isolate victims and gain trust.

“It could start small, like playing tickle games or having a child sit on your lap,” she said. “It could be buying them presents. You might end up spending a lot of time alone with them, especially if they don't have adults paying them much attention.”

Physical interactions between perpetrator and victim can seem like harmless fun to parents, she adds.

“It's very easy to dismiss it by saying, 'Oh, they're just really sensitive or they just care about my child,'” Gonzalez said. “If we can really recognize these warning signs and boundary violations for what they are, regardless of who that person is, then that can really prevent a lot of the sexual abuse that occurs, because sexual abuse often doesn't occur in people.” Watching, but this nursing dynamic can be observed.”

According to the affidavit, police recovered a photo from Gonzalez's vehicle that showed Gonzalez's hand on the girl's thigh.

Witnesses also reported seeing the two holding hands.

Children who are raised and instilled with a sense of secrecy will sometimes refrain from reporting the abuse for fear that they will get in trouble for accepting gifts or admitting to being alone with their abuser.

“Like, 'We have a friendship, we have a relationship, nobody understands, we have to keep it a secret,'” Gonzalez said.

When asked if parents could consider it a red flag if their child communicates on social media platforms, she answered “yes.”

“Most organizations, on the other hand, have a policy that says educators or anyone in a position of authority over a child cannot have any social media interactions with them,” she said. “If interactions are required, e.g. For example, if a public profile or text message with sports news is required, there are a number of apps that parents have available and can view.”

Gonzalez urges parents to seek available resources.

“This way they can receive the justice they need, but also receive services to heal any trauma they may have,” she said.

Although Balch Springs police do not believe there are any more victims, they have confiscated Gonzalez's electronic devices and will conduct a detailed investigation of his “digital footprint.”

Police are asking parents of students at AC New Middle School to speak to their children about any contact with Gonzalez.