A former music teacher at a Massachusetts elementary school was arrested Wednesday after allegations surfaced that he sexually assaulted a child on school grounds.
Stephen B. Jaszek, 62, of South Hadley, was arrested on a warrant at his home on 308 N. Main St. after he was indicted last week in Worcester Superior Court on four counts of statutory rape of a child and one count of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
According to police, Jaszek, who retired about three years ago, sexually assaulted a student at the Julia Bancroft Elementary School in Auburn, which serves children third through fifth grade. Authorities said Jaszek allegedly assaulted the girl during the day, while school was still in session.
In order to protect the victim's identity, police would only say the alleged assault happened sometime within the past 10 years. Two Auburn police detectives investigated the case after the girl and her parents reported it to authorities.
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“If anyone has any information regarding this incident, or possibly any other incidents involving Mr. Jaszek, we would ask they call the Auburn Police detective unit at (508) 832-7777,” said Auburn Police Chief Andrew J. Sluckis Jr.
Jaszek is being held without bail at the Auburn police station and is set to be arraigned Thursday in Worcester Superior Court.
Following Jaszek's arrest, the school issued the following statement:
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share this disturbing news with you, our partners in education.
"Earlier today, Mr. Steve Jaszek, longtime music educator in the Auburn Public Schools who retired in 2014, was arrested by the Auburn Police, having been indicted by a Superior Court Grand Jury. As shared by the Auburn Police, he is expected to be arraigned tomorrow on four counts of statutory rape of a child and one count of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
"According to the police, the victim in these assaults was then a student at the Julia Bancroft School and it is alleged that these profoundly disturbing acts took place during the school day approximately 9 years ago.
"Immediately upon learning of this investigation, the District has, and will continue to, fully cooperate with the Auburn Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office.
"As a District, we stand in full support of this victim who is now a former student, along with this individual’s family, thankful that this child had the courage to report to the Auburn Police these most inappropriate acts. We remain hopeful that, through the support of family, friends, the entire school and greater Auburn community, this young individual continues to find the strength to live a long, happy and healthy life.
"I ask that you respect the privacy of this former student. While social media plays a large role in our daily lives, it is imperative that we afford this victim the utmost care and respect regarding this most sensitive matter.
"Please know that the alleged reprehensible acts of this individual do not in any way characterize the Auburn Public Schools or what we stand for, some of those qualities being respect, integrity and high expectations, all done in partnership with our students’ families and the entire Auburn community.
"Yours in education, Dr. Maryellen Brunelle, Superintendent of Schools"
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