Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Update on the Original 101 Reasons

Below is my original 101 Reasons List, along with updates on the cases that I could find updates for.

Update: John Rosi - Gig Harbor, WA - Middle School Teacher Transferred to New School After Being Caught Bullying Student in Class

Update:
Derek Hildreth - Lawrence, NJ - Elementary School Teacher Sentenced to 20 Years for 33 Counts of Child Molestation

Update:
Kathryn Camille Murray - Houston, TX - After Arrest in Feb 2012 for Sex with Student, Teacher Caught Again in Jan 2013
Update:
 Robert Lellock - Pittsburgh, PA - Public School Police Officer Found Guilty of Molesting Four Boys




Update:
Alexa Nasonti - Norwalk, CA - No Jail Time for Teacher Convicted of Felony Sexual Assault of Student


Update: 
Evan Zauder - Paramus, NJ - Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Porn, Enticement Charges, Faces Up To Life in Prison

Update:
Robert W. Gladden Jr. - Perry Hall, MD - High School Shooter Gets 35 Years in Prison

Update:




Update:


26. Aug 15, 2012 - SC - Teen Pleads Guilty for Bringing Gun to School and Chasing Girl Down with It
Update:
 Steven Marcus Beard - Sand Springs, OK - Substitute Teacher Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Molesting Student
Update:



Update:
Rafael Sosa - Harlem, NY - Third Grade Teacher Acquitted on Sex Abuse Charges; Convicted of Endangering Welfare of Child

Update:
John Benstock - Long Island Music Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sex Abuse of Student - Gets Probation

Update:
Thomas Gibbons - Bronx, NY - Teacher Retires After Being Arrested for Child Sex Abuse; Was Transferred To Different School Two Decades Ago After Case of Sex with Student

Update:



Update:
Melissa Dalton - Tucson, AZ - Teacher Gets 3 Years in Prison for Sexual Contact with Three Students
Update:
 Heather Adams - Cedar Rapids, IA - Teacher Receives Two Years Probation After Pleading Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Student

Update:
Chung Ramos - Riverview, FL - Teacher Resigns but Is Not Charged for Sex with Student
Update:
Kristin Leone - Clifton, NJ - High School Teacher Receives A Year in Prison for Sexual Contact with Student

Update:
Kacy Christine Wilson - Kissimmee, FL - Teacher Convicted of Sexual Activity with Minor After Having Sex in School Closet
Update:
Andrea Connors - Newport, OH - Teacher Pleads Guilty to Felony Sex Abuse of Student, Sentenced to 90 Days

Update:
Tomeka Self and Rosanna Dudley - Darlington, NC - Teacher's Aides Fined for Assaulting Special Needs Boy at School

Update:
Rhonda Ford - Clayton, OK - Oklahoma Teacher Who Had Sex with Student Half Her Age to Spend 12 Years Behind Bars


Update:
Norwood, CO - Three Teens Sentenced to Community Service After Pleading Guilty to Sexual Assault of 10-year-old Classmate


*There is one case, or large cluster of cases, coming out of Miramonte Elementary School In Los Angeles, CA. You really need to click here to see a timeline of the events surrounding Miramonte.








60. Norwood, CO - Three Teens Sentenced to Community Service After Pleading Guilty to Sexual Assault of 10-year-old Classmate

At Miramonte Elementary School 61 Claims of Sexual Assault by 22 Students Were Settled by Elementary School Sex Abuse Scandal

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A Tangled Web

Recently I wrote about 101 Reasons to hesitate before sending your child to school which consisted of 101 headlines during the 2012-2013 school year involving sexual abuse of students by teachers. While researching for that article, I came across a couple of cases that could not be accurately represented in a headline. Here's a timeline of one such case.

Christopher Asch:
1989 - Asch began working for the New York City schools.

2002 -Asch entered Stuyvesant as a tenured employee when he became one of three librarians at the school. He was the faculty adviser of several clubs at Stuyvesant, including the Republican Club, Parodyze, the Quiz Bowl Team, and the Cricket Team.


2008 - Asch was taken out of school but received full pay while investigated for inappropriate touching of students. Asch admitted to attending meetings of the North American Man/ Boy Love Association, a group whose mission it is to advocate for legal sex between men and young boys.

2009 - He was arrested and charged with two counts of third-degree sexual abuse and two counts of second-degree harassment. However, criminal charges were dismissed in October 2009 after an investigation by the District Attorney’s office declared Asch’s actions were not sexual in nature and not intended to harm students. (1)
Despite charges being dropped, the DOE launched an independent disciplinary hearing. Instead of being fired, Asch was only given a six-month suspension from a David Hyland, an American Arbitration Association officer. (2) Hyland determined that Asch “was not involved with sexual misconduct, and that although touching the students’ backs was not sexual in nature, some of it was inappropriate."

2010 - After his suspension, Asch was reassigned to the High School of Art and Design for the 2010-2011 school year.

2011 - Asch petitioned the New York Supreme Court to be fully vindicated of all charges.
"New York State Supreme Court Judge Manuel Mendez officially vindicated Asch of all charges and declared him the victim of anti-homosexual discrimination" because Asch was openly gay. (1)

2013 - April: the NY Daily News reported that "librarian Christopher Asch, 61, and chief Richard Meltz, 65, conspired to kidnap, rape, torture and kill women, children and even a baby over the last two years, according to a federal criminal complaint." (3)
August: Asch was charged with possessing and distributing child pornography in Manhattan Federal Court.


This is the part where I am supposed to summarize and make my final point, but I don't even know what to say. Five years ago four students spoke out about Asch. During the investigation that followed those allegations Asch himself admitted to alliance with a group of pedophiles who want to legalize child rape. He served a year in teacher detention while receiving his full $86k salary, six-months suspension without pay, and then was put back into a school! How can anyone act surprised that he is also a consumer and distributor of child pornography?! 

But the truly scary part is that twice before he entered the court system and escaped scott-free! Praise God that he was finally caught before he was able to carry out his plan to rape, torture, and kill women and children and that his ties to a police chief serving life for killing and eating people have been revealed. (Yes, you read that correctly - ties to someone convicted of murdering and eating people! But yeah, the accusations filed against him those years ago were lies told due to homo-phobia.)


2. NY Daily News. June 23, 2012. Sex predators remain in NYC schools thanks to discipline system, group finds.
3. NY Daily News. April 15, 2013. 2 Arrested in Rape Torture Plot Connected to 'Cannibal Cop' Case.

Friday, August 16, 2013

101 Reasons in 2013

Last year I wrote about 101 Reasons to hesitate before sending your child to the public school system.

I am starting to see the familiar posts on FB of pictures of children on their first day of the new school year and it made me think of that post, and to wonder if I could do it again. Where there really a new 101 news stories about physical and sexual abuse of school student?

Let's see how far I get with a few simple Google searches. I am praying that there are much fewer than 101!

1. August 16, 2013 - Sacramento, CA - Theresa Caroline Gooch: Youth Counselor Accused of Sex Abuse of Teen Girl

2. August 16, 2013 - Chatsworth, CA - Robert Nagai: LA Unified School DIstrict Administrator Arrested for Sexual Contact with Student

3. August 15, 2013 - Livermore, CA - Marie Johnson: High School Math Teacher Sentenced to Prison for Sex with Student After Assaulting Boy 24 Times

4.  August 14, 2013 - Corona, CA - Summer Michelle Hansen: Special Ed Teacher Arrested on Sexual Felony with 5 Students

5. August 13, 2013 - Honolulu, HI - William Plourde: Teacher Indicted in Student Sexual Assault Case

6. August 13, 2013 - Galeton, PA - Kimberly Lake Smith: High School PE Teacher Gets Jail for Sexual Abuse of Students

7. August 13, 2013 - Lanham, MD - Lawrence Joynes: Elementary School Teacher Charged with Sex Abuse of 15 Students

8. August 13, 2013 - Paris, TX - Bethea Merritt: Teacher's Aide Arrested for Sexual Relationship with Student

9. August 12, 2013 - Grand Rapids, MI - Abigail Marie Simon: Catholic School Employee Arrested for Rape of Student

10. August 12, 2013 - Myerstown, PA - High School Band Director Arrested After 100 Sexual Encounters with Student at School

11. August 12, 2013 - Richmond, TX - Ruben Aguilar: Popular Teacher Arrested for Sexual Abuse of 15-year-old Student

12. August 12, 2013 - Dallas, TX - Lesley Ann Sharp: English Teacher Faces Sex and Child Porn Charges Over Alleged Contact with Student

13. August 11, 2013 - Chicago, IL - Bridgette Miller: High School Teacher Accused of Having Sex with Student in Classroom

14. August 11, 2013 - Belvidere, IL - Jenee Blackert: High School Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault

15. August 9, 2013 - Jackson County, FL - Joseph Brian Collins: Teacher & Coach Arrested for Child Solicitation

16. August 9, 2013 - Tracy, CA - Darrel James Golden: Elementary Teacher, 59, Accused of Molesting 14 Children

17. August 8, 2013 - Manhattan, NY - Ilya Lehman: Manhattan Music Teachers Accused of Sexually Abusing Student

18. August 8, 2013 - Solomon, KS - Amber Stroda: Teacher Confesses to Sex with Student at Student's Home

19. August 8, 2013 - Urbandale, TX - Benjamin Hoffman: Teache Pleads Guilty in Student Sex Abuse Case

20. August 7, 2013 - Azusa, CA - Brent Monacelli: High School Wresting Coach Accused of Sending Explicit Messages to Minor

21. August 7, 2013 - Gastonia, NC - Christopher Diaone Alexander: Substitute Teacher Charged with Assaulting 5 years-old Student

22. August 7, 2013 - New York, NY - Macy Gordon: 12 Join Suit Accusing Sex Abuse at High School

23. August 7, 2013 - Beachwood, NJ - Erin T. Haskell: Teacher Pled Guilty to Sex with Student Over 4 Months

24. August 5, 2013 - Phoenix, AZ - James Holmes: World History High School Teacher Accused of Having 7-month Sexual Relationship with Student

25. August 5, 2013 - Madison, WI - Martez Malone: Summer School Teacher Arrested for Sexual Assault of 14-year-old Student in Class

26. August 5, 2013 - New Jersey - Kalee Warnick: English Teacher Accused of Having Sex with 15-years-old Student

27. August 5, 2013 - Manchester, England - Bishop Hugh Gilbert: Bishops Apologizes for Sexual Abuse of Students

28. August 2, 2013 - Detroit, MI - Samantha Sullivan: Soccer Coach Accused of Sex with Two Teen Players

29. August 2, 2013 - Ashley Ridge, NC - Andrew Jonathan Gerhardt: Teacher Arrested for Sending Obscene Photos to Student

30. August 2, 2013 - Franklin, WI - Colleen Lewandowski: Wrestling Coach's Wife Admits to Sex with Teen Wrestler

31. August 1, 2013 - Urbandale, IA - Benjamin Joseph Hoffman: Teacher Arrested on 11 Counts of Third-Degree Sexual Abuse of Students

32. August 1, 2013 - Muleshoe, TX - Morgan Shea Marricle:West Texas Teachers Accused of Sex with Student

33. July 31, 2013 - Redlands, CA - Laura Whitehurst: Teacher Sentenced to Jail for Sex with Students

34. July 30, 2013 - Milwaukee, WI - Ronnie Johnson: Principal Arrested on 14 Counts of Child Sexual Assault

35. July 30, 2013 - Parkersburg, WV - Lijah Heiney: Teacher Charged with Felony Sex Abuse of Student

36. July 22, 2013 - Gallatin, TN - Devri Ann DePriest: Band Director/ Music Teacher Pled Guilty to Six Counts of Rape

37. July 25, 2013 - Othello, WA - Lisa Davis: Award-Winning Elementary School Teacher Repeatedly Molested 10-year-old Student

38. July 24, 2013 - Wyoming, MI - Jamila Williams: Teacher Accused of Sexually Abusing 4 Students

39. July 23, 2013 - Seattle, WA - Seattle Schools Facing $29 million in Claims from Students Alleging Sexual Assault

40. July 23, 2013 - Pittsburg, PA - Robert Lellock: Middle School Student Testifies That School Cop Repeatedly Sexually Abused Him

41. July 11, 2013 - New York, NY - George Finkelstein: 6 More Students Join 19 Classmates in Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Teacher

42. July 9, 2013 - New York, NY - Norman Lamm: School Leader Ignores Reports of Sexual Abuse for Decades - $380 million Lawsuit Filed

43. July 9, 2013 - Spokane, WA - Howard Clayton Moos: Former Students File Sexual Abuse Case Against Elementary School Teacher

44. July 3, 2013 - Redlands, CA - Laura Elizabeth Whitehurst: High School Teacher Accused of Having Student's Baby

45. June 28, 2013 - Hillsboro, OR - Rafael Abinacer: Elementary Special Ed Teacher Accused of Child Sexual Abuse

46. June 25, 2013 - Sherwood, OR - Denise Keesee: Special Ed Teacher Accused of Sexually Abusing 2 Students

47. June 19, 2013 - Queens, NY - Simon Watts: Elementary School Teacher Convicted of Sexually Abusing 5 Students

48. June 19, 2013 - Bronx, NY - Anthony Criscuolo: Special Ed Teacher Charged with Rape of 10 Years Old Student

49. June 14, 2013 - Simi Valley, CA - Malia Brooks: Elementary School Teacher Admits Sex with Student Under 14 - Facing 12 Years in Prison

50. June 14, 2013 - Brooklyn, NY - Erin Sayer: Teacher Who Gave Student Pot and Had Sex with Him More Than Eight Times Pleads Guilty

51. June 13, 2013 - Watertown, Boy, 15, Forced to Withdraw From His NY School After Being Relentlessly Teased by Teachers

52. June 11, 2013 - Milton, MA - Dale Snyder: Teacher, 64, Blames His Parkinson's Medication for Him Kissing and Touching Student

53. June 10, 2013 - Middletown, CT - Christina Powell: Special Ed Teacher Sentenced to Prison for Sex with Student

54. June 10, 2013 - Live Oak, TX - Donna Harper: Middle School Special Ed Teacher Accused of Sexually Molesting Multiple Students

55. June 8, 2013 - Fayetteville, NC - Kari Maria Hogue: Teacher's Aide Faces Charges of Sex with Boy

56. June 8, 2013 - Columbus, GA - Christina Preston: 45 yr old Teacher Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Repeated Sex with 13 yr old Student

57. June 6, 2013 - Anderson County, TX - Lisa Harroff: 49 Year Old Teacher Accused of Sex with Student

58. June 3, 2013 - Hastings, TX - Kelly Ann Garcia: English Teacher Allegedly Had Sex and went to Sex Shop with Student

59. May 28, 2013 - Heber City, UT - Charles Weber: Principal Gets Prison for Sexual Abuse of Student

60. May 25, 2013 - Milwaukee, WI - Kevin France: Wisconsin Special Ed Teacher Faces Sex-Related Charges

61. May 24, 2013 - New York, NY - Elite Private School Confirms Victims' Allegations of Sexual Abuse

62. May 22, 2013 - San Antonio, TX - Elementary School Teacher Who Admitted to Months-Long Sex with Fifth-Grade Student Released from Prison After Serving 6 Months of 10 Year Sentence

63. May 20, 2013 - Checotah, OK - Michelle McCutchan: Female Admits Sex Tape With Teen Student

64. May 16, 2013 - Whittier, CA - High School Teacher Accused of Having Sex with Underage Student

65. May 3, 2013 - Freeport, TX - Nikki Scherwitz: Teacher Has Sex with Student, Shows Up at Prom After-Party

66. April 30, 2013 - Clearfield, UT - Gaile Kristine Supp: High School Teacher Accused of Raping Student

67. April 25, 2013 - Canarsie, NY - Female Special Ed Teacher Arrested for Having Sex with Student

68. April 18, 2013 - Fairfax, VA - Teen Convicted in High School Sex Tape Scandal

69. April 8, 2013 - Bryant, AR - Courtney Speer: Trial Set for Teacher Charged in Sex-with-Student Case

70. April 2, 2013 - Abington, MA - Christine McCallum:Elementary School Teacher Admits to 12 Counts of Sex with Students, as Well As Drugging Them for Sex

71. March 28, 2013 - Houston, TX - Kahtanna Culp: Teacher Busted for Private Sex Sessions with Student

72. May 21, 2013 - Wakefield, NC - Jamie Lloyd Ayers: High School Coach Arrested on 3 Counts of Sex Charges

73. March 21, 2013 - Summit County, OH - Kimberly Sauto: Tap Dancing Teacher Gets Prison for Sex with Boy

74. March 12, 2013 - Broadneck, MD - Erin Thorne: Teacher Arrested for Sexual Relationship with Student

75. March 4, 2013 - Childress, TX - Shanice Adel Lambert: Teacher's Aide Sentenced to Prison for Sex with 15-years-old Boy

76. March 2, 2013 - Ogden, UT - Jamie Waite: Swim Coach Found Guilty of Forcible Sex with Student

77. March1, 2013 - Mossville, IL - Kayla Trueblood: Elementary School Teacher Pleads Guilty on Sex with Student

78. February 27, 2013 - Glenwood Springs, CO - Lauren Redfern:Teacher and Coach Arrested After BEing Caught Having Sex with Male Student

79. February 17, 2013 - Shelbyville, IN - Megan Crafton: HS Cheerleading Coach Pleads Guilty to Giving Student Oral Sex

80. February 7, 2013 - Vista, CA - Kelly McKenzy Watson: Special Ed Teacher Carrying Students' Baby

81. February 6, 2013 - Midland, TX - Jennifer Marie O'Neill: Junior High Teacher, 37, Arrested for Sexual Abuse of 13-years-old Student

82. February 1, 2013 - Newhark, NJ - Elyse Cromwell: Teacher Accused of Having Sex with 14 years old Student

83. January 31, 2013 - Amarillo, TX - Elementary School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of a Child

84. January 31, 2013 - Charlton County, GA - DaNita Wilson: High School Math Teachers Charged with Having Sex with Seven Students

85. January 26, 2013 - South Albany, OR - Heidi Hyre: School Librarian, 52, Sentenced to Prison for Having Sex with Student

86. January 23, 2013 - Layton, UT - Chaarie Lynn Jaramillo: Teacher Charged with Having Sex with Student

87. January 23, 2013 - Allentown, PA - Michael James Agrippine: Substitute Teacher Accused of Molesting 9 Years Old Boy in Bathroom Stall at Elementary School

88. January 21, 2013 - Brunswick-County, NC - Leah Shipman: Teacher Marries Student She Was Accused of Having Sex With

89. January 8, 2013 - Charlotte, NC - Kristina Ngum: Facing Charges of Sex with Student

90. January 7, 2013 - New Philadelphia, OH - Jodi A. Kellish: Exemplary Teacher Sentenced to Prison for Sex with Student

91. January 3, 2013 - Molalla, OR - Tanya Earle: High School Teacher Sentenced in Sex with Student Case

92. December 20, 2012 - Aloha, OR - Jeremy Dickey: Youth Football Coach of Sex Crimes

93. December 4, 2012 - Kaysville, UT - Coach Charged with Sexually Abusing Student

94. November 14, 2012 - Union, MS - Emily Suzanne Hansford: Elementary School Teacher Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Sexual Battery of a Child

95. November 11, 2012 - Walton, NY - Stephanie FLetcher: Teacher Accused of Having Sex with Students During Class Breaks

96. November 4, 2012 - Bexar County, TX - Amanda Sotelo: Teacher Jailed After Admitting She Was Pregnant by her Former 14-years-old Student

97. November 1, 2012 - Mound Fort, UT - Liz-Anne Roberts: High School Teacher Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Student

98. October 30, 2012 - Portland, OR - Otha Banks: Pop Warner Coach Sent to Prison for Rape

99. October 24, 2012 - Ellicott, CO - Stefanie Dickinson: School Board Member Sentenced in Child Sex Case

100. October 22, 2012 - Iowa City, IA - Ashley Nicole Anderson: Teacher Accused of Having Sex with Four Students

101. September 6, 2012 - Cecotah, OK - Elementary School Teacher Who Made Sex Tape with Daughter's Boyfriend, 16, and Raped Another Teen Sentenced Teen to 15 Years

Sadly, making that list was much easier than last year. In fact, I just stopped listing because I had reached 101 but there were plenty of more cases to cite. Interestingly, this list is made entirely of teacher-student sex cases. I reached 101 before I even had a chance to start looking at other issues like physical assault by both teachers and classmates.

Once thing that really stands out to me doing this research this year is that most of the headlines this year refer to "relationships" and "having sex" but do not call it what it is - sexual abuse.

Also, if you think that once sexual predators are identified they will no longer be allowed to work with children think again! According to the Parents Transparency Project, in New York City during the 2011-2012 school year, the group says 223 employees were charged with some form of misconduct, yet only 17 were actually fired. Although school officials attempted to fire 128 employees since 2007 for sexual misconduct and inappropriate relationships with children, only 33 of those employees actually lost their jobs.

For more information about sexual abuse by teachers please refer to my previous post. There is a lot of pertinent information available there.