NEW BRITAIN - Police in New Britain are investigating after a parent reported their child received inappropriate text messages from a college student who was visiting the classroom.
"We cannot provide more comment at this time because the allegation is under investigation," Police Chief James Wardwell said.
According to a statement from the Consolidated School District of New Britain, an investigation started on May 13. New Britain Police arrived at the school and escorted a visiting Central Connecticut State University student from the building.
CCSU has a system where students pursuing a degree in education spend 20-30 hours observing in a school before entering the CCSU teaching program. The students undergo background checks and are advised of acceptable interaction and contact with students before observations begin. Visiting university students are said to be supervised at all times when in the schools.
Martha Ruiz said one of these college students was providing gifts to her son and told him not to tell his mother. When Ruiz checked her son's cell phone, she said she found "disturbing" and "alarming" messages sent to her 10-year-old by the CCSU student.
Ruiz said one of the texts read "Baby, I love you." But that wasn't all. "A lot of it was swearing and you know, just inappropriate," she said.
Another parent told Fox CT her 10-year-old received messages from the same person about sex and kissing.
Anestos Moffat said the woman discussed alcohol with his son through a mobile app.
"She was explaining that she was drunk and my son was curious as to find out what was it like. He's a fifth grader, only 10 years old," said Moffat, who called the situation a "surprise" and a "wake-up call."
The parents are displeased with the school's handling of the situation.
"I don't want my son back at the school at all. At all. I don't trust them anymore," said Moffat, who said he wasn't told that something might be wrong until more than a week after the CCSU student was escorted off campus.
The student was not arrested and willingly surrendered his or her cell phone to police, according to district officials.
Parents will be receiving a notice and updates on the situation to the degree law enforcement recommends, said the school district.
As the criminal investigation proceeds, Moffat and Ruiz said they're left navigating uncomfortable topics with their children.
"We shouldn't have to have to have these conversations about virginity because she's asked about virginity to the boys. We shouldn't have this conversation at the age of 10. She took away a few years from us," Ruiz said.
