Police: 2nd Grade Teacher Charged With Inappropriately Touching Students In Delaware County
By Robin Culverwell and Matt Rivers
GLENOLDEN, Pa. (CBS) -- A Darby Township Elementary School teacher has been arrested and charged with assaulting three students in his care, most recently just last week.
And authorities say they fear there may be many more victims.
Second-grade teacher Paul Hochschwender, 54, is charged with institutional sexual assault, indecent assault, and corruption of the morals of a minor -- all third-degree felonies because two of the alleged victims are seven years old.
Delaware County district attorney Jack Whelan says the accusations are very troubling.
"It shatters your confidence in the educational system," Whelan said today. "We have to react swiftly and diligently and make sure that no other children are victimized."
Whalen says authorities are investigating why school officials didn't contact law enforcement two years ago when another student, in fifth grade at the time, allegedly came forward.
Whalen says, "We are continuing to investigate as to whether or not any administrator had knowledge of this and failed to report it two years ago."
He expects to hear from more children who say they were victimized.
Parent Carol Cella says, "I can't believe that. Now, yeah, I will consider sending my son some place else."
Darby Township Elementary School is part of the Southeast Delaware County School District.
Hochschwender was released after posting $100,000 bond.