New York elementary teacher charged with sexual abuse of 11-year-old female student

According to WABC New York, an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old female student.

Police say Daniel Santiago, 29, from Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy in Flatbush was charged with sex abuse and acting in a manner to injure a child under 17. 

He had been abusing the girl since February, police said. Santiago is accused of touching and sending inappropriate text messages and pictures to the girl. Rumors began when other students witnessed the behavior that led to the teacher’s suspension. 

Investigators then interviewed the girl, and they say she admitted that inappropriate contact happened with the teacher. 

“How are you not watching your teachers?” said Kiyanna Warren, a parent. “This is really concerning, especially an 11-year-old.” Some parents are questioning their children’s safety. “He should be locked up, he should go to jail and lose his license and everything. If he has kids, he should know better than that,” said Lisa Williams, a parent.

Santiago is due to appear in court and face a judge on Tuesday to answer to the charges.

“My heart goes out to this girl and her family. They put their trust in the school system to keep her safe. This is a terrible abuse of power and trust,” said nationally recognized sex abuse attorney Jeff Herman.

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