Former Fresno Adventist Academy teacher arrested on child molestation charges

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A former Fresno teacher is now in police custody in Florida. He is believed to have been on the run after facing several charges for child molestation in the Valley.

Christopher Bispham worked at the Fresno Adventist Academy where over 180 elementary, junior high, and high school students attended each day. And according to a Facebook post on the school's website, it appears he taught fourth graders at one point.

Bispham was arrested Saturday in Orlando on 15 different charges dating from 2013 to 2016.

Fresno police confirm they are the lead investigators and believe all the incidents happened while Bispham was a teacher at Fresno Adventist Academy.

The U.S. Marshals Office helped bring Bispham into custody, and now Fresno Police are working to get him sent back here to Fresno to answer to the charges. The school has responded to his arrest by sending out a statement and acknowledging the arrest.

However, they say Bispham is no longer with the school and they are cooperating with the police during this investigation. The statement goes on to say that all families of the alleged victims have been contacted and have been offered counseling.

The school wants people to be mindful that this is still under investigation and the names of those involved are not being released and any parent with questions is asked to speak or contact the principal or vice principal directly.

It's also not known at this time if there may be other victims not connected with Fresno Adventist Academy.