Maryland elementary teacher accused of sexually assaulting 8 third-grade students
A Maryland elementary school teacher sexually assaulted at least eight girls in their third-grade classroom at Severna Park Elementary School, according to authorities.
According to charging documents, Child Protective Services interviewed at least eight of 44-year-old Matthew Schlegel’s current and former female students, who claim the math teacher molested them.
The girls, who are all still in elementary school, say Schlegel groped their private parts and described being touched under their desks or in front of other students.
Schlegel, who is married with two children, is now being held without bond.
The documents also allege multiple witnesses told investigators they had seen girls sitting on Schlegel’s lap during class.
The alleged abuse occurred between August 2022 and March 2024.
Schlegel is facing 36 different charges, including seven counts of second-degree assault and 14 counts of sex abuse of a minor. He was removed from his classroom in March.
Dozens of Schlegel’s family and friends stood behind him during a bond hearing on Tuesday. Defense attorney Peter O’Neill argued the supporters were a testament to his “high moral character” and that he should be released from jail.
“Even though you’re charged with the worst kind of charges…these are people who are willing to stand up for him,” O’Neill said, according to the Capital Gazette.
But the state says Schlegel is dangerous, and alleged one girl told investigators: “I still want Mr. Schlegel to be my teacher. I just want him to stop touching me,” according to WBAL-TV.
Circuit judge Cathleen Vitale was unmoved by O’Neill’s plea and ruled Schlegel be jailed until his next hearing on June 12.
Vitale acknowledged the credibility of the girls will eventually be scrutinized in court — but for now, he should remain behind bars.
Schlegel has been an employee of the Anne Arundel County school system since 2008. He began teaching at Severna Park Elementary School in 2016.
His attorney did not immediately return The Post’s request for comment.
