Central Hardin teacher arrested, fired for hugging and kissing student

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (WAVE) - Hardin County Schools administrators fired a high school Spanish teacher after police said he admitted to hugging and kissing a female student.

Edwin Bonet-Ruiz, 54, was arrested Monday afternoon after a Central Hardin High School student told a resource officer about the incident, which she said happened during school hours. The 14-year-old student also said the teacher tried to inappropriately communicate with her on Facebook.

Elizabethtown Police said Bonet-Ruiz admitted to it all, leading Hardin County Public Schools administrators to fire him Tuesday as Bonet-Ruiz sat in jail.

"We believe we need to send a very strong message in any actions we take, and we have sent that message," Superintendent Nannette Johnston said.

Bonet-Ruiz has been a teacher for the district since 2000 and had a clean record, Johnston said.

Bonet-Ruiz posted bond Tuesday and, although someone was at his home outside Radcliff, no one answered the door.

He was also the Spanish pastor at Abundant Life Church in Radcliff until Tuesday, when church leaders revoked his credentials because of his arrest.

The church's 300 members are "shocked" because Bonet-Ruiz has never had any incidents at his 18 years at the church, associate pastor Terry Linscott said in a phone interview.

Church leaders will meet with their members Wednesday to tell them about the allegations, Linscott said.

Bonet-Ruiz faces a sexual abuse charge and a charge of unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor, both felonies.

The female student reported the incident early Monday. School was closed Friday because of snow.

Parents should have confidence in their school district because the system worked properly, Johnston said.

"I think our parents have the utmost confidence in our teachers and see this as an isolated incident," she said.

Hardin County school administrators will send the following letter to parents Wednesday:

We would like to share with you the facts concerning an incident regarding a Central Hardin High School faculty member.  Hardin County Schools has terminated the contract of Central Hardin High School teacher Edwin Bonet-Ruiz after an investigation by the district and the Elizabethtown Police Department. 

Mr. Bonet-Ruiz, a Spanish teacher at Central Hardin High School, received a letter of termination late Tuesday afternoon.

The Elizabethtown Police Department arrested and charged Mr. Bonet-Ruiz early Monday evening.  He received a letter notifying him that he was suspended with pay during the HCS investigation.  Hardin County Schools' investigation is complete and its findings led to Mr. Bonet-Ruiz's dismissal.  An investigation is still open by the Elizabethtown Police Department.

We maintain that integrity and student safety remain a priority at Central Hardin High School.  Any threat to either of these will be taken very seriously. 

If you have questions, please contact me at 270-737-6800.

Respectfully,

Tim Isaacs

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