NY Attorney General Opens Investigation Into Babylon High School Sexual Abuse – CBS New York
BABYLON, NY (CBSNewYork) – New York Attorney General Letitia James is opening an investigation about allegation of sexual abuse at a Long Island high school.
As CBS2’s Jennifer McLogan reports, a lawyer, a police officer and a doctoral candidate are the latest of many former Babylon Middle School students to say they were victims of abuse. sexual misconduct at the hands of their teachers and coaches.
READ MORE: Watch our special presentation ‘Thanksgiving Eve: Celebration’
“I started at 16 with my story and I wasn’t taken seriously. And now I’m 30 years old, back to where I was traumatized.” Babylon Graduate student Darcy Orlando Bennet.
The attorney general said her office is taking the complaints seriously and has opened a civil investigation.
“Every student on Long Island and throughout New York deserves to feel safe and protected when they come to school. Reports of student sexual abuse at the hands of teachers and their coaches are troubling and must be investigated. My office is opening an investigation into the Babylon School District over these disturbing allegations,” James said in a statement Tuesday. “The safety and well-being of our students – both past and present – is of paramount importance, and we will do everything in our power to protect the right to a safe learning environment. All yours.”
“A feeling of relief, but also a fire lit up inside of me. Like, I’m determined to fix this. I have a daughter who will enter 7th grade next year,” said Barbara Maier, a graduate student at Babylon.
After a series of complaints, and a six-hour board meeting, Babylon’s general manager booked five employees on paid leave and a sixth resigned. A Saturday teacher – a coach – is no longer with the district. His alleged sexual relationship with Brittany Rohl, class of 2011, is what caused this to begin. She was the first to come forward.
“He told me he was going to take my virginity away because no one else could love me like he did,” Rohl said.
READ MORE: Hampton University Marching Band Is Just HBCU in Thanksgiving Day Parade
The floodgates were opened and survivors continued to share their stories.
“He would ask me about things like, ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’ and he wanted to massage my shoulders and always find a way to touch me,” said Sienna Klaas Puleo, a 2009 graduate of Babylon HS.
“If they break those rules, if they break the law, if they put our kids in danger, then they should be held accountable,” said Congressman Michael Durso of NY.
In a statement, the school district said it is fully cooperating with the investigations by the attorney general and the state Department of Education and is in contact with the crime victim center to provide training to staff. and student services.
“Personally, I believe this is something of a Catholic church scandal. They don’t fire teachers. They reassign them, or they go to another school district, and the predatory behavior continues,” said Saint Senator Phil Boyle.
The women who spoke out allege there have been systematic cover-ups for decades.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone released a statement Tuesday, applauding the attorney general for investigating.
MORE NEWS: Police stuck in traffic in Brooklyn
“I have great admiration for the brave individuals who have come forward, both current and former students, to tell their stories. Their allegations must be thoroughly investigated and I am confident that will now with the Attorney General’s investigation,” the statement read in part.