According to NJ News, a Leonard V. Moore Middle School teacher was charged with sexually assaulting a minor.
Harry Wyatt, 53-years-old, authorities announced he was arrested and charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, and endangering the welfare of a child. Allegedly Wyatt was aware the child he engaged with was a minor.
Wyatt is being held at Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center, pending his hearing, scheduled for Tuesday. Police did not release any other information, and the incident remains under investigation. School officials could not be reached for comment.
Attorney contributor Guy D'Andrea, an experienced sexual abuse lawyer, has represented numerous victims of sexual abuse in civil lawsuits. Below are a few of his thoughts on the legal options available to victims sexually abused by a teacher:
"Schools have a legal obligation to protect their students and provide a safe environment. Schools should be a safe place for kids to learn. Unfortunately, schools are often targeted by sexual predators. These predators exploit their power and trust of the communities to abuse the children they are meant to keep safe. When a school employee sexually abuses a student, both the perpetrator and any negligent third parties in a way that enabled the abuse to happen must be prosecuted."
"If schools fail to ensure their students' safety through adequate security measures, they may be considered negligent. Some cases of sexual abuse involving school employees occur due to negligence by the school district. Examples of negligence are failing to run background checks and ignoring previous sexual misconduct complaints. In such cases, victims of sex abuse and their families may have grounds for a civil lawsuit against the school. Victims should secure the services of an experienced sex abuse lawyer to learn more about their rights."