Is Second School District Employee In Three Months To Be Charged With Sex Crime. Cops Seek Additional Victims.
UPDATED AT 5:57 p.m. with statement from Palm Beach County School District.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Miguel Benavente, a Palm Beach County School District employee working as a teacher and at times an administrator, is now facing a charge of sexual battery of a child. The young victim claims Benavente “groomed” him, abusing him over a decade.
According to information provided to BocaNewsNow.com, Benavente, 57, found reasons to bring students to his residence where he would have them watch pornographic material. The child who claims he was assaulted over several years says Benavente penetrated him and performed other acts. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is now seeking additional victims.
PBSO issued this statement: “Benavente has been employed by the Palm Beach County School District since 1991, serving in various roles, including as a teacher. Most recently, he held an administrative position. In 2000, PBSO investigated similar allegations; however, the statute of limitations had expired. Victims have since come forward indicating there may be additional victims in Palm Beach County from the time Benavente was actively teaching.”
Benavente worked at Roosevelt Middle School which is in West Palm Beach. Benavente apparently spent the last year working as an administrator. It’s unclear if his duties brought him to South Palm Beach County — including schools in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, or Boynton Beach. PBSO is issuing a countywide alert, suggesting parents speak with their children about any contact they may have had with Benevente. His residential address as listed as the 8500 block of Butler Greenwood in West Palm Beach.
Benevente’s arrest comes less than three months after the arrest of Norman Riemer, also an administrator and the husband of now ex-Whispering Pines Elementary School (Boca Raton) Principal Barbara Riemer. Norman Riemer is accused of molesting two very young girls who were in his home. He remains held without bond.
STATEMENT FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT:
“The School District of Palm Beach County is aware of the arrest of Dr. Miguel Benavente. We hold our employees to the highest ethical standards, and the alleged behavior represents a violation of the trust placed in all School District employees. These charges are contrary to the core values of our School District and the high standards of professional and ethical conduct we require.
The safety and security of our students is our absolute top priority. Upon learning of these allegations, the School District took immediate action to remove Dr. Benavente from his position. He is placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and our own internal review. He will have no access to any school campus and no contact with students.
The District is cooperating fully with the law enforcement investigation. As this is an active criminal matter, we are unable to provide further details at this time. We encourage anyone with information relevant to this investigation to contact the School District Police Department at (561) 434-8700.”
