Who is Luis Morales? Pennsylvania ex-teacher sexually abused 3rd-grade girl for 2 yrs
OXFORD, PENNSYLVANIA: A West Chester man, Luis Morales, has been arrested and charged for allegedly sexually abusing a minor for two years while being a teacher at Nottingham Elementary School in Oxford. The child was in 3rd and 4th grade between 2014 and 2016 when the alleged crime happened, Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said.
However, the complaint against Morales was filed in June 2021 by the now 14-year-old victim. The criminal complaint filed against the 56-year-old accused stated that he engaged in penetration, “however slight,” of the child's genitals/anus. The victim told Oxford Borough Police that the man, who used to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) in the school district until 2016, started abusing her after one day asking her to stay after school.
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The complaint added that after other students left the classroom, he allegedly asked for permission to touch her. The child thought Morales meant “like a pat on the back” but the former teacher allegedly began touching her inappropriately. His fingers and hands went over her chest and private area, and this allegedly happened several times. Morales even went on to digitally penetrate the child’s vagina and anal. The child accused him of placing her hands outside of his pants on top of the genital area. According to the victim, the sexual assault ended when she graduated from the 4th grade and left the school in June 2016.
Some witnesses have also come forward in the case, according to an affidavit of probable cause, as one of them said she saw the victim on Morales’ lap in the straddle position. Another one claimed that sometimes the victim was called by Morales to his desk in the back corner of the room, where he used to rub his hands over her buttocks. As per the third witness, the victim was seen sitting under the former teacher’s desk several times. They also added that Morales once touched the victim’s genitals over her clothing.
Now, Morales has been pressed with several counts of aggravated indecent assault, institutional sexual assault and other related offenses. His preliminary hearing is expected to happen on September 28. Ryan said, “Chester County is seeing an unacceptable wave of students who have been sexually abused in our elementary, middle, and high schools. It is imperative that we implement safeguards in our schools and any other place children are to protect them from predators.”
“Adults need to engage in oversight by watching out for children. Anyone who works with children has a legal obligation as a mandated reporter, but all adults have a moral responsibility to do the right thing to protect them. We must do better,” the district attorney added.
Reports said after Nottingham Elementary School, Morales joined the Phoenixville Area School District. However, in June this year, he was suspended from his position. Officials said nothing wrong ever came up during his background check. Kim Rodgers of Phoenixville said, “I think they do their due diligence. They do everything that's required of them. As a mom, obviously, you're concerned for your children but I feel like everyone will handle it the way they need to handle it.”