Print
Nov 19, 2008 5:50 am US/Eastern
Police: Teacher Sexually Assaulted By Student
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
-
-
Police said the incident happened at the Dimner Beeber Middle School in Overbrook at about 3:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon.
CBS
Philadelphia Police are investigating the alleged sexual assault of a 24-year-old female teacher at the hands of one of her young students.
Police said the incident happened at the Dimner Beeber Middle School in Overbrook at about 3:30 p.m. Monday.
The teacher was finishing up a day of classes when a 12-year-old student allegedly pushed her up against a classroom wall and attempted to pull her pants down, authorities said.
When the teacher screamed for help, the student stopped.
"I am outraged, absolutely outraged by this, this should not ever happen again," said Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.
"First of all, school should be the safest place for children and for staff, but the child obviously has some very, very serious problems that need to be dealt with," Jordan said.
Police said the student has been arrested and charged with attempted rape, aggravated assault and related charges.
"The student was suspended for ten days and if it is found that he was indeed involved in this action, we will move for expulsion from the district," Cecilia Cummings of the School District said.
The school district said its schools are safe.
"Any violence in our school is absolutely intolerable. Any reports of violence we take extremely seriously, our foremost priority is to protect the safety of our teachers and our students," Cummings explained.
The teacher returned to the school on Tuesday. Jordan said he will pay a visit to Dimner Beeber first thing Wednesday morning.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
