March 27, 2025 - by Herman Law
A special education teacher at Chatsworth Elementary School in Woodland Township, New Jersey, has been charged with sexually assaulting multiple male students over a period of several years. Vincent Root, 58, of Philadelphia, was arrested and charged with seven counts of sexual assault and seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
According to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation began in September 2024 when a student reported being inappropriately touched by Root on several occasions. Six additional students later came forward with similar allegations. The incidents are alleged to have occurred during the school day inside classrooms at the elementary school.
Root, a teacher since 1997, has been placed on administrative leave and barred from school property while the case is pending.
Allegations of this nature within an educational setting highlight serious concerns about student safety and the responsibilities of institutions to protect those in their care.
Legal Protections for Survivors in New Jersey
In recognition of the unique challenges survivors of childhood sexual abuse face, New Jersey passed the Child Victims Act in 2019. This law allows survivors to file civil lawsuits until the age of 55 or within seven years of discovering the abuse, whichever is later.
Our Commitment to Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Our firm is dedicated to supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse with compassion, discretion, and unwavering advocacy. We understand how difficult it can be to speak out, especially when the abuse occurred in an institution that was supposed to be safe.
We represent survivors in civil actions against the perpetrators and the organizations that failed to prevent the abuse. Our goal is to hold the responsible parties accountable and help survivors pursue justice on their own terms.
Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation
If you or someone you know may have been harmed by Vincent Root or another educator, we encourage you to reach out to our New Jersey sexual abuse lawyers. Herman Law offers free, confidential consultations and is here to listen, support, and advocate for your rights.
To read more about this story, visit:
Source: New Jersey 101.5 – “NJ special education teacher accused of sexually assaulting multiple students” by Dan Alexander, published October 13, 2023. Read the full article here
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by an attorney at Herman Law, with legal experience in helping victims of sexual abuse.
Speaking up is never easy—but you’re not alone. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, our compassionate team at Herman Law is here to listen, support, and guide you forward. Reach out today in complete confidence.
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