Police: Teacher molested girl, 14, wanted marriage

A teacher accused of committing sexual battery upon a student told Plantation police he wanted to marry the child, a 14-year-old girl, according to an arrest report.

The molestation began in August when the girl, then 13, was a student of Daniel Joseph Azemar, 34, of Lauderhill, police said.

On Jan. 9, the child’s mother discovered text messages and other evidence on the girl’s phone and Azemar was arrested the next day, the report said. Azemar would buy the child snacks and drinks, and took her to a back room to organize school supplies where he first kissed her and fondled her body over and beneath her clothing, police said.

Azemar was the child’s homeroom teacher as well as her instructor for math and social studies at Broward Junior Academy, at 201 NW 46th Ave. in Plantation, the report said.

Efforts to reach school administrators were not successful.

Under the name “James,” Azemar is accused of having sexually graphic conversations in texts with the girl. He knew her for three years, and wrote in one message that he has had his “eyes on her” since she was 11. When she turned 14, he threw her a birthday party.

“From the time I saw you, I wanted you,” another message said. “I don’t know what it is, I have had it bad for you since then,” the report said.

There were near daily conversations between Azemar and the child on Snapchat, videos, phone calls and other means of communication.

Azemar told the child he loved her and wanted to marry her, according to police. The child told investigators there were multiple sexual encounters that happened at the school.

He at first told police he did not understand why he was in custody.

In a conversation that was recorded on video, the married teacher told a detective that the child “understood him” and met his emotional needs. He also said he was sorry if he caused her any harm, according to the report.

Azemar told a detective he would cooperate fully and wanted a plea deal.

Police arrested him on suspicion of committing sexual battery by a person who is in a position of custodial authority; eight counts of lewd and lascivious battery and four counts, lewd and lascivious molestation.

During a court hearing Friday, Broward County Judge Jackie Powell set bonds totaling $400,000 for Azemar and ordered that he is monitored by GPS.

She also ordered him to not have contact with the child and other minors and to not access the Internet.

Azemar was still in a Broward County jail on Monday.

Azemar