A federal grand jury in Maryland has recently indicted an elementary school teacher on numerous charges, alleging sexual abuse of his students.
A former elementary school teacher in Severna Park, Md., Matthew Schlegel, 44, is facing a total of 55 charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of at least eight children under his instruction, as stated in official documents.
Last month, Schlegel was arrested at his home on multiple charges, including child sex abuse and fourth-degree sex offense, according to reports.
In March 2024, an investigation was initiated by the police into allegations of sexual abuse involving Schlegel and a female student at Severna Park Elementary School, as stated in the charging documents.
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Authorities allege that from August 2022 to March 2024, several other students have come forward with their own claims of abuse. These incidents reportedly took place during school hours. Schlegel was taken out of the classroom on March 15 due to the investigation.
The Anne Arundel District Attorney’s Office and Anne Arundel Public Schools have yet to respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
At a court hearing on May 28, a judge made the decision to deny Schlegel bail before his trial. The judge expressed that the “statement of facts, if true, are heinous,” according to WBFF-TV.
Peter O’Neill, the former teacher’s attorney, made a case in court for Schlegel’s eligibility for bail, emphasizing his strong ties within the community as evidence that he is not likely to flee. A significant number of individuals, including Schlegel’s spouse, relatives, close acquaintances, and former pupils, showed their support by attending Schlegel’s court hearing, as reported by WBFF-TV and Capital Gazette.
According to reports, prosecutors characterized the suspect as cunning and adept at manipulating children.
O’Neill informed the Capital Gazette that a civil case has been filed by the families of the alleged victims against Schlegel and the county school system, Anne Arundel Public Schools.
Schlegel has been a dedicated educator in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools since 2008 and joined the team at Severna Park Elementary School in 2016.