A third staff member from Lower Manhattan High School has been suspended without pay amid an investigation into similar unsettling allegations of sexual misconduct involving students, as reported by the Post.
This 36-year-old aide, who worked as an educational community associate, started his career in emergency medical care at the city’s Urban Conference Early College High School in 2017. Allegations against him regarding inappropriate behavior with female students emerged last year, per a source. These allegations, however, haven’t been substantiated in public reports, and no criminal charges have been filed against him.
It’s been mentioned that one of the alleged victims is an immigrant from Spain with limited English skills. Unfortunately, her age remains unverified.
The claims came to light after the girl’s mother discovered a message from a staff member and alerted school authorities.
This aide marks the third incident involving staff at Murry Bergtraum Building, located next to NYPD headquarters, and is currently under scrutiny by the school’s investigative committee. They have labeled the case as “active” but haven’t disclosed further specifics.
In a related case, Ocean Valentine, a previous school aide, was found to have had sexual relations with a 17-year-old male student in May 2022. The investigation revealed that their encounters occurred during school lunch breaks, and she was terminated in 2023, though she hasn’t faced any criminal charges.
Meanwhile, another aide is being investigated for allegedly having sexual contact with a female student and is also accused of taking $5,000 that was meant for her, according to a source.
Reports indicate that after the student took this situation to the authorities, security personnel removed the aide from the premises. The Department of Education (DOE) confirmed his suspension while investigations are ongoing, but he has not been charged with any crime.
The DOE has not responded to requests for comments.
Parents have expressed their alarm regarding these incidents, with one mother stating, “We need to wonder how we examine the people who work in our schools.” She emphasized the importance of ensuring those in positions of trust are properly vetted, highlighting that such occurrences should never happen.
