59-Year-Old Chatsworth Elementary School Teacher Indicted & Faces Additional Charges For Touching Kids
Saturday, May 25, 2024, 5:00 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CHATSWORTH, NJ.- A 59-year-old Philadelphia, Pennsylvania man, who was employed as a Chatsworth Elementary Special Education School Teacher has been indicted and now faces additional charges for inappropriately touching male students.
According to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw, a grand jury sitting in Burlington County, New Jersey, returned a 28-count indictment charging Vincent Root, 59, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with 14 counts of second-degree Sexual Assault; and 14 counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Root who was originally charged in October 2023, in connection with sexually inappropriately touching seven students, has been charged in the indictment with inappropriately touching an additional seven students. Following the return of the indictment, Root pleaded not guilty last week during an arraignment hearing.
The indictment stems from an investigation that began in September 2023 following a student coming forward and accusing Root of touching him inappropriately during the previous school year. The investigation uncovered that all of the student victims, who are all male, were touched in classrooms inside the school building. The investigation further uncovered that the abuse occurred over multiple years.
The names and ages of the children, along with their dates of enrollment are being withheld by law enforcement to protect their identities.
Anyone who believes they were victimized by Root is urged to contact the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit at (609) 265-5035 or you can email tips@co.burlington.nj.us.
"The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt."
FILED UNDER: MAY 25, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, BURLINGTON: