Student, 10, Testifies Former Wilmington Teacher Touched Her More Than Once
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A 10-year-old girl testified at a preliminary hearing Thursday that her fourth grade teacher touched her more than once and made her "feel weird".
News cameras were not allowed inside the hearing Thursday when the first witness, identified as Jane Doe Number One, testified that Robert Pimentel touched her more than once when the 10-year-old was a student in his class last year.
The now retired Pimentel is accused of sexually abusing 12 students at George De La Torre Jr. Elementary School in 2011 and 2012.
The witness testified that Pimentel moved his hand in a circular motion at the top of her thigh, under her pants but over her underwear, while he was seated at his desk and she stood next to it. The touching allegedly took place while other students in the class were present, according to Thursday's testimony.
The 10-year-old testified that "it made me feel weird."
The witness also testified that Pimentel put his hand on her back in the same circular motion and touched her skin.
She went on to tell the court that she saw him touch a classmate in a similar fashion.
On cross-examination, the former student testified that she spoke with 7 of the other alleged victims in the case about her teacher's actions before she told her mother.
More alleged victims were also scheduled to testify Thursday.
On Friday, investigators are expected to take the stand to determine if Pimentel will be held over to stand trial.
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