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CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
10-year-old testifies against former Maryland teacher accused of sexually abusing students
A 10-year-old alleged victim testified Wednesday in the case against Matthew Schlegel, a former third-grade teacher in Anne Arundel County, who is accused of sexually abusing multiple students. The girl claims Schlegel inappropriately touched her while she was his student. She alleged the assault happened while she was at her desk, when she would go to his desk for help, and when he would hug her. Schlegel, 45, a former math teacher at Severna Park Elementary School, is on trial for allegedly sexually abusing eight students during class between August 2022 and March 2024. He is facing 33 counts of assault and sexual abuse of a minor. A 10-year-old alleged victim testified Wednesday in the case against Matthew Schlegel, a former third-grade teacher in Anne Arundel County, who is accused of sexually abusing multiple students. CBS News Baltimore The girl testified that two weeks after Schlegel was removed from school, she was at another alleged victim's house, and the girls wrote down possible reasons why he left, with one being the inappropriate touching. An alleged victim's mother testified that she found the note on her daughter's iPad. The trial is scheduled to continue until June 17. Defense pushes back on alleged victim The defense emphasized that these girls are friends and were interested in "solving the mystery" of what happened to Schlegel. They also suggested the girls couldn't tell their parents they were "joking around." The alleged victim said this was not a joke. She added that she was afraid of getting in trouble and didn't report the touching earlier because she was scared. The alleged victim's mom said when she found out, her "stomach sank and she felt sick." She and other parents went to the principal that night. She said her daughter was crying, repeating, "It's true, it's true." Schlegel removed from classroom in 2024 The Anne Arundel County Public School district said Schlegel was removed from the classroom on March 15, 2024, immediately after they were notified of the sexual abuse allegations. A district spokesperson said Schlegel had been employed with them since 2008. He became a teacher at Severna Park Elementary in 2016. The mother of one of the children said that when parents were notified of Schlegel's removal, she was initially concerned because he was a favorite among the children. The mother told the jury that her daughter is "not the same child that she was before her third-grade year." 9-year-old student testifies A 9-year-old student took the stand on May 22. She described how girls would often be behind Schlegel's desk with him while getting help with math. She said other students could not see what was happening "from the waist down" behind the desk. Detectives say that's when most of the abuse took place.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- CBS News
Student's mother testifies as Maryland elementary school teacher faces sexual abuse charges
A mother delivered an emotional testimony on Thursday in the trial of the former Anne Arundel County elementary school teacher who is accused of sexually abusing her daughter and others. Matthew Schlegel, 45, who was a third-grade math teacher at Severna Park Elementary School, allegedly sexually abused eight students during class between August 2022 and March 2024. He is facing 33 counts of assault and sexual abuse of a minor. Prosecutors said 22 of the initial 55 counts were dropped after three of the children were unable to testify due to mental health concerns. The mother told the jury that her daughter is "not the same child that she was before her third-grade year." She testified that before learning about the alleged abuse, her daughter became very withdrawn, stopped wanting to go to school, and developed a fear of being without her parents. The mother added that her daughter ensured the doors at her home were always locked. The defense maintains that Schlegel has been "falsely accused." A mother: "I've never felt more sick" The Anne Arundel County Public School district said Schlegel was removed from the classroom on March 15, 2024, immediately after they were notified of the allegations. A district spokesperson said Schlegel had been employed with them since 2008. He became a teacher at Severna Park Elementary in 2016. The mother of one of the children said that when parents were notified of Schlegel's removal, she was initially concerned because he was a favorite among the children. A few weeks later, she found out about the abuse through a message on her daughter's iPad and immediately went to the principal and then the police. She broke down in tears when she told the jury, "I've never felt more sick in my entire life." 9-year-old classmate takes the stand The court also heard from a 9-year-old student, who described how girls would often be behind Schlegel's desk with him while getting help with math. She said other students could not see what was happening "from the waist down" behind the desk. Detectives say that's when most of the abuse took place. There are about a dozen more witnesses who have not yet testified. The trial is expected to last several weeks. Jury selection Earlier in the week, a panel of 120 prospective jurors reported to the Anne Arundel County courtroom for questioning. The jury was eventually dwindled to 12 jurors and alternates.
CBS News
19-05-2025
- CBS News
Teacher charged with sexually assaulting students in Anne Arundel County to begin trial
A former Anne Arundel County elementary school teacher is scheduled to stand trial Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting numerous female students. Police say Matthew Schlegel, who worked as a teacher at Severna Park Elementary, is facing at least 36 charges ranging from second degree assault to sex abuse of a minor. Investigators conducted at least eight forensic interviews with students since launching the investigation in March 2024, according to police. The students alleged their third-grade math teacher, Schlegel, inappropriately touched them during classroom time. Detectives said the alleged assaults of third-grade girls occurred during class at Severna Park Elementary School between August 2022 and March 2024. What investigators found Police began investigating in March and conducted at least eight forensic interviews with students who alleged they were touched inappropriately by Schlegel, their third-grade math teacher, during class. The Anne Arundel County Public School system removed Schlegel from the classroom on March 15 immediately after being notified of the allegations, according to the school district. Similar incidents In June 2024, a Randallstown High School teacher was accused of performing sexual acts on a minor, who was a student at the school. In addition to the assault, the Baltimore County State's Attorney's office accused Carlos Arroyo of grooming the victim. According to investigators, Arroyo was giving the victim rides to the Metro Station on Painters Mills Road. The female victim told to authorities that Arroyo was helping her because she faced a lengthy walk to the bus station followed by an extended bus trip home. In July 2024, a Baltimore City school teacher at Baltimore's Merganthaler Vocational-Technical High School was charged with the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl who lived in the same apartment complex. Lewis Laury, 24, was charged with the second-degree rape and sexual offense in the third degree, after police accused Laury of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
