POLK COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A former Florida robotics high school teacher and tennis coach was arrested after he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a student on Thursday.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Otis Cutshaw, a former Winter Haven High School teacher, faces charges of:

Sexual battery by a custodial figureTraveling to meet a minorUnlawful use of a two-way communication deviceTransmission of harmful material to a minorPossession of obscene material depicting a minorUse of a device to solicit sexual conduct with a minorChild pornographyLewd molestationTampering with physical evidenceOffenses against students by authority figures

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says its investigation began on Wednesday after they learned the victim was in an inappropriate relationship with Otis, 55. Detectives were able to make contact with the victim, who admitted to having a sexual relationship with Otis since May of 2026 and that they often communicated through messaging apps like GroupMe. The victim told investigators their encounters were frequent in the beginning of the summer and then became daily during the past week, deputies say.

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When detectives searched the victim’s phone, they found the messages had been deleted. However, forensic analysis recovered a substantial message history. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said investigators found numerous photos, videos and messages that were predominantly sexual in nature. Investigators also recovered photos and videos that allegedly showed Curtshaw exposing himself.

Deputies say during a phone call between the victim and Cutshaw, he said he deleted their chat history and that he needed to know what she told law enforcement so their stories could match.

When detectives spoke to Cutshaw, he admitted to traveling to the girl’s home, engaging in oral sex and having sexual intercourse on five occasions while the victim’s parents were away, the sheriff’s office says. He also admitted to exchanging nude photos, videos, providing the victim with gifts and deleting their chat history. He admitted to deleting their chat history because he knew law enforcement was coming to his house.

Cutshaw also told law enforcement that despite the circumstances, he remained optimistic that he would be able to marry the 15-year-old victim. Deputies say Cutshaw is also married and is the father of two kids.

“We are disgusted to hear that someone entrusted with educating and protecting children has been arrested for such unacceptable behavior,” said Fred Heid, superintendent of Polk County Public Schools. “We are terminating his employment, and he will have no further involvement with our students. The school district will continue to cooperate fully with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigation, and we appreciate deputies moving so quickly to address this situation.”