For Fifth Time This Month, A NYC Teacher Is Arrested For Alleged Child Sex Abuse
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The rash of teachers and Department of Education employees who have been arrested for alleged sexual abuse is continuing.
For the fifth time this month, a public school employee has been charged with a sex crime against a student.
The Queens district attorney said Brett Picou, 30, an art teacher at P.S. 52, sexually abused six fourth grade girls by hugging them, then sliding his hands down over their clothing and touching their buttocks.
1010 WINS' John Montone reports
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The Wall Street Journal reports one of the alleged victims told Picou, "I'm a little girl, you're not supposed to do that to me."
Police said the alleged abuse happened on school grounds.
One child told the school principal about the alleged abuse a week ago, triggering the investigation.
The Department of Education said Picou has been suspended without pay since the student made the accusation on February 15.
Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said the DOE is cooperating with investigaors.
"It's my responsibility to be available to the parents to deal with this issue and also remind them that we're not going to tolerate and remind the people committing these acts that I don't want you a part of the system," Walcott said.
Picou joins Chukwuma Duru, Tyleek Brooks, Gregory Atkins and Wilbert Cortez. Duru is a substitute teacher. Brooks and Atkins worked as teacher's aides. Cortez is a computer teacher.
The recent spate of arrests has prompted Walcott to announce new policy changes. Walcott also hosted a meeting with angry, concerned parents last week.
What do you think about the recent spate of arrests? Sound off in our comments section.
