Bronx Teaching Assistant Accused Of Raping Teen Student
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A teaching assistant in the Bronx was arraigned Sunday night on charges she had sex with one of her students.
As CBS2's Matt Kozar reported, a judge set bail for 29-year-old Maria Contreras at $25,000, much less than the prosecution's request of $100,000.
The judge did require Contreras to sign an order of protection, promising not to have any contact with the student.
Contreras, a married mother of two, is accused of raping a teen boy under the age of 15. She was a substitute paraprofessional at Bronx Academy of Letters on Morris Avenue, where she taught the boy and other special needs students.
The victim is said to suffer from mental illness, Kozar reported.
Prosecutors said the relationship happened in November. Contreras allegedly raped the teen at her apartment on Baker Avenue in the Bronx. The teen told his mother and his mother then contacted authorities, Kozar reported.
Friends and family of Contreras packed the courtroom in the Bronx Sunday night. Her lawyer said her client is innocent and there is no evidence to support the charges, just the word of the accuser.
The Department of Education released a statement regarding the case, saying Contreras has been fired.
"These allegations are incredibly disturbing. Ms. Contreras has been removed from her position and will no longer be employed by the DOE. We are working with NYPD on their investigation," DOE Spokeswoman Devora Kaye said.
Contreras is charged with six counts of rape and two counts of a criminal sex act.