A Tampa principal is facing charges that he inappropriately touched a student.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, 63-year-old Jim Larkin admitted to the lewd and lascivious molestation charges. The middle school principal at Tampa Day School, Larkin was arrested Thursday.

Larkin was later fired from the school.

“Once the arrest was made last night and we were given more info on the investigation, he has been terminated at this point,” said Lois Delaney, with Tampa Day School.

Larkin befriended the 14-year-old boy and acted as a surrogate father, sometimes babysitting the boy and his siblings while his mother was out of town, according to the police report.

On March 7 while babysitting, Larkin entered the boy's room and began to rub his leg and touch him inappropriately, according to the police report. The student asked Larkin to stop and Larkin left the room, according to the police report.

Larkin has been charged with charged with lewd or lascivious molestation on a child 12 or older. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Larkin was released from jail Thursday on $7,500 bail.

The sheriff's office recorded a phone call between the student and the principal in which Larkin admitted his actions were "inappropriate."

“I can’t even begin to describe the feelings that have been through this. We’re so saddened by the whole situation. It affects so many lives at this point. We’re in shock I believe,” said Delaney.

Before becoming principal at Tampa Day School, Larkin was headmaster at St. John's Greek Orthodox School in Tampa for 31 years. The Larkin family is well known at the St. John Greek Orthodox Church, where they’ve been members for decades.

St. John Greek Orthodox Church released the following statement Friday:

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we must address this issue on Good Friday of Holy Week. James J. Larkin served as headmaster of St. John Greek Orthodox Day School for more than 30 years.

At the time when our church was considering closing the school, Mr. Larkin announced both his resignation and retirement.

The school operated for three more years until 2012 when Bridgeprep at St. John’s opened. BridgePrep is owned by Smart Starts Day School and is a fully-independent private school that leases property from our church.

Mr. Larkin’s tenure was unmarked by any irregularities and his departure was the normal consequence of a changing business environment.

Today’s news about Mr. Larkin is as shocking to us as to any member of the Tampa community. We believe this is now a matter for the authorities and we are fully committed to assisting them in their investigation.

Holy Week is the most important time in the life of a Christian. To learn of these accusations on Good Friday – the day Christ died on the Cross – is truly heartbreaking. We pray for all families affected.

Larkin has no previous criminal history and had received good reviews from faculty, parents and students during his education career.

An investigation is ongoing.

Larkin’s biography says he’s been involved in the Boy Scouts and youth groups during his time as an educator. Larkin’s attorney said the 63-year-old will fight the charges.

“Mr. Larkin has been an educator in this community for more than 40 years. He has an excellent reputation a spotless record, he is absolutely innocent. We are looking forward to clearing his name. He has the full support of his family, friends, and community,” said Eddie Suarez, Larkin’s attorney.

Statement from Lois Delaney, Head of Tampa Day School:

We are all saddened and shocked by this news.

Although I cannot answer specific questions about the ongoing investigation, I want to assure the community, as well as our parents and staff, that we strongly condemn the alleged behavior.

At this time, it appears that this is an isolated incident and that no other students are involved and none of the alleged inappropriate behavior occurred at the school.

We have been working closely with the authorities since the beginning of these allegations and will continue to do so.

Mr. Larkin was placed on administrative leave immediately after I was notified of the allegations earlier this week.  This is the first time allegations of this nature have been made against Mr. Larkin. Given his arrest last night and the new information revealed in the police investigation, his employment has been terminated effective immediately.

Our priority at this time is to support and protect our students and maintain the integrity of the school.

Thank you very much.