BARTOW, Fla. — A 31-year-old teacher and head football coach at Bartow High School was arrested on April 2, 2025, following a Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior toward female students.
The suspect, identified as Tyler Eden, faces charges including Lewd Offense against a Student by an Authority Figure (second-degree felony), Lewd and Lascivious Touching of a Minor (third-degree felony), and Voyeurism (first-degree misdemeanor).
The investigation was launched after a parent reported concerning interactions between Eden and their daughter, which occurred during extracurricular activities for community service hours.
According to authorities, Eden allegedly engaged a female student to assist with athletic tasks, such as organizing football helmets in the locker room. During this encounter, he reportedly made inappropriate comments about a fellow teacher’s advances toward him, despite being married.
The student expressed discomfort and attempted to redirect the conversation, but Eden persisted.
The following day, while the same student was helping Eden with additional tasks, her hoodie zipper broke, exposing her undergarments. When she requested a T-shirt to cover herself, Eden allegedly unzipped her hoodie further, ignoring her protests.
After providing her with a shirt, he followed her into a separate locker room area, commented on her bra, and noted the absence of security cameras. The student, visibly shaken, reported the incident to her parents that evening and to school officials the next day.
When questioned by school administrators, Eden initially claimed he only provided the student with a shirt.
However, as he was informed of his administrative leave, he admitted to attempting to fix the student’s zipper at her request.
Sheriff Grady Judd condemned Eden’s actions, stating, “This teacher’s behavior was not only inappropriate but terrifying for the student. Discussing lewd topics, tampering with her clothing, and following her into a locker room while commenting on the lack of cameras is predatory. He belongs behind bars, and we will not tolerate such conduct toward our children.”
Further investigation revealed similar allegations from two other female students. One reported that Eden mentioned the lack of cameras in the locker room, implying it was a place where “certain things” could happen undetected. He also boasted about his popularity and another teacher’s alleged interest in him.
Another student recounted a conversation in which Eden responded to her career aspirations of becoming an obstetrician/gynecologist with crude and sexually explicit remarks, offering her community service hours, which she declined.
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid praised the sheriff’s office for their swift response, stating, “It is unacceptable for an educator and coach to behave this way. This individual has betrayed the trust placed in him and must face the consequences. We are grateful for the thorough investigation and the steps taken to ensure student safety.”
Eden remains in custody as the investigation continues. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.