Police: Mt. Lebanon school board member charged in Florida assault of teen

A Mt. Lebanon School Board member sexually abused a teenager while on vacation in Florida this week, telling arresting officers “this is not good” and “mistakes were made,” according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Andrew Freeman, 34, is charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, Florida authorities said.

Freeman was in Davenport, Florida, with family and friends when he allegedly kissed a 17-year-old girl and put his hands under her clothing, according to sheriff’s spokesman Brian Bruchey.

The girl and her mother were among those with whom Freeman was vacationing, police said.

Bruchey said in a statement that the incident happened July 4 in the home where Freeman was staying and came to light when the victim’s family member walked into the room and saw Freeman nearly nose-to-nose with the girl.

Freeman initially denied abusing the girl, Bruchey said, but eventually admitted and said “mistakes were made.” He also told investigators “this is not good,” noting his position as a school board member.

Mt. Lebanon School Board President Jake Wyland called the charges serious and disturbing.

“The conduct described in the (Polk County) release is reprehensible and totally inconsistent with the community’s expectations of a school board member,” he said.

Wyland said the board has been in contact with Florida authorities and is monitoring the situation.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd offered his own thoughts on the allegations, asserting that Freeman violated the trust of his friends and his constituents.

“I have a feeling the people of Mt. Lebanon no longer want his services with the schools, let alone want him near their children again,” Judd said in a statement. “He sexually battered a child. What was he thinking?”