Former teacher accused of sex abuse

DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) - Austin police charged a former Hillcrest Elementary School teacher with indecency with a child.

The alleged crime happened in March 2005, but the 11-year-old victim is just now speaking out against her former teacher.

The little girl who was in the first grade at the time, told police Karl Douglas Van'tVlie originally touched her "under her clothes" during a reading assignment. Then, she said, Van'tVlie made her touch him inappropriately several times afterwards.

"When we talked to me Van'tVlie, he corroborated all the information that the victim gave us," said Det. Santiago Torres with the Austin Police Department's child abuse unit. "He also said it happened several times throughout the year during the school day."

Van'tVlie was interviewed by police and said it started when the child would give him very affectionate hugs.

"He said this had been bothering him for a while and a real relief for him to come out and deal with it now," said Torres.

Del Valle ISD officials sent out a letter to parents informing them of the crime and encouraging parents to talk with their children.

Van'tVlie was arrested on Wednesday. He is charged with indecency with a child.