As reported by the Enterprise News, an elementary school teacher, charged with child rape for engaging in over 300 instances of sexual activities with a 13 year-old boy in just under a two-year period, has been convicted.
C.M., 29 at the time of her arrest, will be serving 29 months in prison and 10 years of probation.
C.M., married to S.M., recently given birth to a child conceived after the accusations were lodged.
After the sentencing in Brockton Superior Court, Superintendent Peter Schafer said that the schools “can never be too cautious” and that they “need to continue to be ever vigilant because there are those people who are looking to end up in those situations with students.”
On January 9, 2009, C.M. was arrested when the boy came forward to police about their sexual activities. There were 12 counts of child rape, one of drugging a person for sex and one for giving alcohol to a minor that C.M. pleaded guilty to.
Earlier this year another Abington teacher, a substitute and tennis coach, pleaded guilty to sexual conduct for a fee – with three of his students. The man was given three years of probation. In regards to that case Schafer said in defense of the school district, “We reviewed the process (of hiring teachers) and it’s been unchanged. Best practice was followed, and we’ll continue to do that.”
The School Committee Chairman and Vice Chairwoman did not comment on the case and all questions from reporters were diverted to the superintendent alone.
At the time of the charges, C.M. was living in Rockland and teaching fifth grade students at Abington’s Woodsdale Elementary School.
According to police reports, C.M. met the boy while she was engaged in tutoring his 9 year-old brother at a local library. From there, C.M. pursued the family for a friendship, which developed enough for the parents to allow her access to both boys as she became their babysitter.
The boy, now 16, recalled in his victim impact report that C.M. was responsible for destroying his life, and his relationship with his parents. His father read a statement, echoing his son’s thoughts, calling her “a true predator and monster.”
M.C. was supported in court by several members of her family including her husband, siblings, parents, aunts and uncles.
M.C. is expected to be imprisoned in the Barnstable House of Correction. Ten years of her probation will be on a GPS monitoring device. She is also required by law to register herself as a sex offender and pursue counseling if her probation officer deems in necessary.
Schafer concluded, “The Abington public schools remain deeply sad and troubled by the case. We have a reputation of excellence and the commitment to the safety and well being of our students and that commitment remains steadfast.”
Charged with one or more crimes? Then you must contact a criminal defense attorney, with the experience you will need, as soon as possible to begin working on your defense.
