Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) is sounding the alarm after four Valley educators were charged or investigated for sexual conduct with minors in a single month, with social media playing a central role in every case.
"Young people have more access to online communications than ever before," Rep. Biggs wrote on X, urging parents to monitor their children's online habits. "Let's keep our kids safe."
His warning proved timely. Four separate cases emerged within the same month, an unusually high number that has left many parents deeply unsettled.
The most high-profile sentencing involved Patrick Battillo, better known as "Mr. Orng," a well-known Phoenix Suns superfan and former boys basketball coach at Peoria High School.
This past Friday, a Maricopa County judge sentenced Battillo to three and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to soliciting sexual photos and videos from his own students.
Additional Conduct
AzFamily reported that within the Peoria Unified School District, two female teachers at Centennial High School, Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka, were accused of sexual conduct with the same teenage student.
In a fourth case, 22-year-old teacher Jessenia Rodriguez was arrested and charged with sexual conduct with a minor after allegedly pursuing an 8th-grade student online.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Brecken Blades says her caseload reflects a growing trend. "In my office alone, I've seen a huge uptick in online offenses," she said.
She also noted that cases involving female offenders are often viewed differently by the public and tend to go underreported, even though the harm caused to victims is just as serious.
"It is unfortunate when someone uses their position of authority," Dr. Blades said, adding that it can cause "increased trauma outcomes for the victim."
She offered some reassurance to worried parents, reminding them that most teachers are trustworthy, but also flagged warning signs to watch for, including teachers communicating with students through personal phones, Snapchat, or texting outside of official school channels.
