Orlando school employee arrested for alleged child sexual abuse; victim speaks out: police

An Orlando school employee, Avraham Levin, who goes by Avi, has been arrested for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. The accusation stems from events that reportedly occurred between October 2010 and April 2011 in Chicago, when Levin was 15 and 16 years old, and the victim, Michael Weldler, was 11, turning 12. Levin turned himself in to the police this week and is scheduled for a court appearance next month.

The investigation into Levin began in 2021, when Weldler initially reported the incident. Despite Levin's previous arrest in 2022, complications regarding the statute of limitations led to his release at that time. After moving to Orlando and securing a position at the Orlando Torah Academy in August 2022, Levin's background was scrutinized once more following Weldler’s ongoing efforts to seek justice.

Weldler stated that he took action by reporting the case to the Beth Din, a rabbinical council in Chicago that deals with abuse claims. He expressed a sense of responsibility to protect other children from similar experiences, even though it was uncomfortable for him to come forward. Weldler emphasized the importance of preventing further incidents, stating, "I can't change what happened to me, but I could prevent it from happening again."

In response to Levin's arrest, the Orlando Torah Academy has suspended him from his position and informed attendees that he is no longer welcome on the premises. However, the school declined to elaborate further when approached for comment by FOX 35. The Chicago Rabbinical Council has also been contacted regarding any investigation into the claims but has not yet provided a response.

Levin has been released on bond and is facing charges of criminal sexual abuse of a person under 17, which is categorized as a misdemeanor since he was also a minor at the time of the alleged incidents. As the case progresses, FOX 35 has attempted to reach Levin for comment but has been unsuccessful.