NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — A former New Britain special education teacher has been arrested following alleged inappropriate behavior, the school confirmed.
The superintendent of schools Tony Gasper said in a statement that Lincoln Elementary School officials were notified of potentially inappropriate behavior by special education teacher Erving Rivera, 50.
The teacher was removed from the school and placed on administrative leave, and Rivera resigned on March 22, Gasper said in a statement.
"From day one, there has been a full collaboration from our staff and administrators in working with law enforcement and DCF that has led to where we are today and that is the arrest of Mr. Rivera," Superintendent Gasper said in a statement. "We truly appreciate the due diligence of the agencies involved in conducting a thorough and complete process that ultimately led to Rivera’s arrest. Now it will be up to the legal process to determine how this individual will be held accountable for his actions."
The superintendent said the district has been working with individual students and their families to offer support services that they may need.
Student victims told investigators that Rivera would hug, kiss, and touch them inappropriately, according to the arrest warrant from New Britain police.
In February, a teacher at the school caught wind of what was happening when they noticed Rivera whisper something into a student's ear. This student in particular was not Rivera's student. When the teacher asked what Rivera whispered, the student replied, "What happens in my room stays in my room."
The teacher then reported Rivera's behavior to an administrator.
During an interview, the victim said to investigators, "Why does this happen to me? I'm only 10 years old."
The victim kept track of how many times Rivera touched them inappropriately in a notebook, which stated the victim was touched at least 32 times, the arrest warrant states. He would also get her gifts, like candy and coloring books, according to the arrest warrant.
"The behavior of which Mr. Rivera is accused is morally reprehensible and a stain on the noble profession of public education," Superintendent Gasper said in a statement.
The arrest warrant states Rivera would be charged with sexual assault and risk of injury to a child.
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