According to PennLive, a fifth-grade teacher is facing multiple sexual abuse offenses that involved a student at Central Middle School located at 215 N 12th St, Reading, PA 19604.
On Monday, October 17, 2022, 38-year-old Michael J. Conner, Jr. was arrested. Detectives say they received a referral from the Department of Human Services on September 19, 2022. The claim alleged that the teacher was exchanging sexually explicit messages with the 13-year-old child. After an interview with the victim, they learned that the teacher used social media to communicate with the student. Conner sent videos and pictures of himself performing sexual acts in addition to requesting some from the minor. The teacher took the child to a secluded area in his vehicle on several occasions. During one of these trips, the child alleged that the teacher sexually abused him.
Connor, who has been working with the Reading School District since 2020, is facing charges including sexual abuse of a child, institutional sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, indecent assault, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
Attorney contributor Guy D'Andrea helps victims by filing school sex abuse lawsuits in Pennsylvania. Brian helps victims and their parents get justice through civil law. Recently he discussed when parents could sue if a middle school teacher sexually abused their child.
"School officials are required to provide a safe environment for students. When a predator is given a position as a teacher, they have access to vulnerable children. They use their power and trust to exploit their victims. Background checks, security monitoring cameras, and effective reporting procedures are just a few precautions a school can take to prevent the danger of abuse. If a school is found to have neglected basic safety precautions, it can be held responsible in a civil lawsuit."
"When a middle school teacher sexually abuses a child, it can be difficult for parents to understand how it happened. Many times schools can be held accountable for failing to provide proper security. The court may even find that the school was negligent in preventing further abuse if it ignored previous reports of misconduct. An experienced school sex abuse attorney can give victims and their families more information about their legal options for filing a lawsuit."